Overcoming Fear by an Overwhelming Trust

Fear of the unknown is perhaps one of the most destructive devices utilized by the enemy to prevent GOD’s people from fulfilling His purpose and plan within them. Fear of failure, fear of losing out, fear of being overwhelmed, fear of simply being unable to keep pushing forward in the face of difficulty—these and so many other fears have gripped the hearts of GOD’s people preventing them from discovering victory in their life, in their pursuits and in their destiny.

How do you break free from the bondage of fear? How do you overcome fear’s grip that seems to strangle the life out of you? You know what I am talking about today. You have confronted fear and failure in your own life and possibly found yourself overpowered by it at times? It has probably prevented you from moving into things you knew GOD was leading you to? It has probably held you back from moving into times of victory and overwhelming excitement that victory would bring? The enemy has utilized fear from the very beginning to hinder man’s progress forward in spiritual victory.

Caleb’s life reveals some important keys to overcoming your fears and living in victory. In Numbers 14, we find Caleb standing strong before the nation of Israel. The nation is on the cusp of victory as they stand on the border of the Promised Land. The spies, having been sent in to check out the land, returned excited about the beauty and bounty of the land but fear grips their hearts as they allow the size of the inhabitants to remove their trust in a bigger, more powerful GOD. They soon find themselves declaring their absolute inability to take the land GOD had already given them.

Caleb stood up and declared: “He will bring us into this land…and give it to us…don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” (Numbers 14:8-9 HCSB). Caleb’s faith and trust in a great big GOD prevented him from being fearful in the face of what would appear to be overwhelming odds.

Caleb saw GOD’s ability to bring them through to victory. He refused to allow the enemy’s great size and might to cloud his vision of the all-powerful GOD that he served. He didn’t look at victory as something yet to be attained rather he saw it as something that was already done!

Your victory has already been won. Consider the two ways you have to look at every situation—either from a standpoint of defeat or of victory. Satan would have you to stand in fear as you look up at the giant of a mountain standing in your path. But, GOD would have you to trust in Him to tear that mountain down before you by His overwhelming might and power. It’s your choice to decide who you will listen to. You can submit to defeat by listening to the lies of the enemy or you can live in victory by placing your complete trust in the all-powerful GOD.

We discover quickly that the Israelites chose to listen to the deceit of the spies. GOD responded by declaring: “as surely as I live and as the whole earth is filled with the Lord’s glory, none of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tested Me these 10 times and did not obey Me, will ever see the land I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have despised Me will see it” (vv. 21-23). GOD declared that all who failed to trust Him to take them in would die in the wilderness without ever enjoying His promised land.

Caleb reaped an abundance of rewards from GOD for his faithfulness and trust. The Bible records these words of Caleb: “As you see, the Lord has kept me alive these 45 years as He promised…Here I am today, 85 years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out…Now give me this hill country the Lord promised me on that day… Joshua blessed Caleb…and gave him Hebron as an inheritance” (Joshua 14:10-14).

You may be facing a mountain of fear today? You may be at the end of your rope…HANG ON, TRUST GOD and He will come through for you in great abundance in His way and in His time. Do not let your fear of the unknown cloud your vision of what is known about our great big powerful GOD. As you learn to place more and more trust in GOD, you will find yourself become stronger and more powerful in His strength and might.

Scripture Reading: “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering stone fence? They only plan to bring him down from his high position. They take pleasure in lying; they bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly. Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God; my strong rock, my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Men are only a vapor; exalted men, an illusion. On a balance scale, they go up; together they weigh less than a vapor. Place no trust in oppression, or false hope in robbery. If wealth increases, pay no attention to it. God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God, and faithful love belongs to You, Lord. For You repay each according to his works” (Psalm 62 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, I feel as though life is swallowing me whole. The mountains that the enemy has raised up in my path are overwhelming me. I am at the point of throwing up my arms and running but I know that is not the right thing to do. I know that You are there for me. I know You hear me. I know You love me. I know You care about me. I realize that out of this mess I am in victory will arise. I must trust in You today. Father, I place all my trust in You and I am believing You for relief from this pressure and stress. I know the promise of deliverance is on Your lips and I shall soon see it before my eyes. Until then, give me Your strength to continue…I pray these things, in Jesus’ name…AMEN!  

Return to the GOD Who Loves You!

How often do you find yourself drifting in and out of church? Drifting in your commitment to GOD? Drifting in your commitment to the things of GOD? How often have you just walked away for a while and returned to your old way of doing things? Your old lifestyle? Maybe you’ve dug up your past and started living in it once again?

I don’t know where you are in your walk with Jesus today; but, I do know that if you aren’t where you should be it’s time to get back there! It’s time for you to turn your life around and return to GOD!

I have discovered, and witnessed it first hand, that when a believer “falls-away” from living for GOD, the despair and chaos that begins to enter in is of a destructive nature—left to itself, total destruction will eventually befall the individual. Only you can change that in your life, if that is where you are at today!

The nation of Israel once again found themselves far from GOD. They often drifted away from Him and in His constant love for them, He would gently nudge them back. GOD’s Spirit came upon the priest, Azariah, and sent him to King Asa with a word from GOD for His wondering people: “The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you” (2 Chronicles 15:2 HCSB).

That same word is for you today. Whatever your spiritual condition may be, GOD promises to be with you when your heart is set on Him. He promises you will find Him even in your distress. He promises He will never abandon you regardless of the steps you choose to take. GOD loves you today no matter where you may be in life and He desires to have you in close, intimate fellowship with Himself.

Azariah then confronts Asa with the truth of the situation: “For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law, but when they turned to the Lord God of Israel in their distress and sought Him, He was found by them” (vv. 3-4).

Israel had been wondering along through life without GOD—the GOD that called them out of the darkness, the GOD that had delivered them from the penalty of their sin, the GOD that had freed them from the bondage of their oppressors. They had forsaken Him and turned away from Him to their own way of living.

Maybe that’s you today? GOD cares about you. He is working constantly trying to draw you back, to change your heart and mind—how will you respond today?

The Bible tells us: Asa “took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land…then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their ancestors with all their mind and all their heart” (vv. 8,12). Notice that it took an action on their part to initiate the change that GOD was desiring to bring about in them. They removed the things that were leading them astray, got their lives in order and committed to seeking after GOD with all their hearts and minds.

The story draws to a close by telling us: “They had sought Him (GOD) with all their heart, and He was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side” (v. 15). When they truly sought GOD out, He was found and His peace that they had so longed for returned to them and flooded over them granting them an inner peace and tranquility as never before.

In the midst of your problems, GOD is speaking to you today. His love for you is unfailing. His desire to be close to you is never-ending. Walk away from the things of this world today and place your confidence in Jesus Christ. Trust Him to once again re-establish the relationship with the Father that your innermost being is so longing for today. What will you do? How will you respond?

Scripture Reading: “I love You, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies. The ropes of death were wrapped around me; the torrents of destruction terrified me. The ropes of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me. I called to the Lord in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears. Then the earth shook and quaked; the foundations of the mountains trembled; they shook because He burned with anger. Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; coals were set ablaze by it. He parted the heavens and came down, a dark cloud beneath His feet. He rode on a cherub and flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He made darkness His hiding place, dark storm clouds His canopy around Him. From the radiance of His presence, His clouds swept onward with hail and blazing coals. The Lord thundered from heaven; the Most High projected His voice. He shot His arrows and scattered them; He hurled lightning bolts and routed them. The depths of the sea became visible, the foundations of the world were exposed, at Your rebuke, Lord, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He pulled me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my distress, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out to a wide-open place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; He repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands. For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not turned from my God to wickedness” (Psalm 18:1-21 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I have drifted away from You. I have allowed my selfish desires to command my steps and lead me to places I wish I had never gone and to do things I wish I had never done. Please forgive my failures and my sinful ways. Please cleanse me and purify me so I may stand boldly in Your presence once again. I love You and desire to once again be dwelling in Your midst, hearing Your voice and following Your lead. Thank You, Father, for never giving up on me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

What if the Bottom Falls Out?

How often do you have one of those days where the bottom just seems to fall out? Things appear to be on the up and up, going well, when all of a sudden it happens—disaster strikes! Unexpected…unprepared for…what do you do? How do you respond? How do you overcome?

Sadly, disaster strikes more often to more people than we are truly aware of. Many of the people we encounter on a daily basis are going through some kind of crisis situation in their lives. Maybe that is you right now? An unplanned expense? A serious medical condition? A lost job? Problems with a child? An unexpected death of someone close? These situations are real and the pain and distress is real as well.

David and his fighting men had been out in the field for a time engaged in battle with the surrounding enemies. The Bible tells us that when they returned to their home town, “they found it burned down. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been kidnapped” (1 Samuel 30:3 HCSB). The Bible says: “David and the troops with him wept loudly until they had no strength left to weep” (v. 4). Their distress had overwhelmed them.

Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, David found out his “troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters” (v. 6). Much too often that is what happens in our lives when we find ourselves distressed and overwhelmed by some situation—all of a sudden we get whacked by something else compounding the already difficult time we are going through.

David knew right where to turn in his difficult hour. The Bible says: “David found strength in the Lord his God” (v.7). He got away and got with GOD. GOD ministered to his heart. GOD strengthened and encouraged David promising him that victory was on its way! David went out and confronted his enemy.

The Bible tells us: “David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken; he also rescued his two wives. Nothing of theirs was missing from the youngest to the oldest, including the sons and daughters, of all the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David got everything back” (v. 18-19).

David could’ve sat around depressed and distressed over how bad his situation had become. He could’ve continued crying out, blaming GOD for not taking care of him. He could’ve just thrown his hands in the air and claimed defeat and simply returned to his old way of living. But, he didn’t! He went forth in the power of GOD, faced down his enemy and took back everything the enemy had stolen from him. He refused to be defeated and he came out the conqueror!

I have known many people who allowed their mounting problems, their discouragement, their distress to destroy them. Much too often, people return to their old way of living when disaster strikes rather than turning to GOD and trusting Him. Rather than listening to GOD and following His direction, people will turn to the bottle, to drugs, to worldly living—leaving all that GOD had already done in their lives behind.

Maybe that is you today? Maybe the bottom fell out for you? Something came into your life and drug you away from your relationship with GOD? You were living high on the mountain only to find yourself falling over a cliff of despair. The despair got ahold of you and today you have returned to the ways of you old life? Maybe it’s time to change your situation? Maybe it’s time to turn back to GOD and allow Him to move in your life once again? He is waiting to hear from you.

Maybe the bottom fell out for you? Maybe your life has crumbled underneath you and you are just hanging on by a thread? Give the problem over to GOD. Trust Him for the answer. Hold your head up and walk in faith that GOD will take care of you. GOD is here for you, simply put your trust in Him today. If the bottom falls out, GOD will be there to catch you! Trust Him!

Maybe the LORD has been blessing you in a very special way and you are overflowing with His peace, assurance and joy today? Find someone that’s not doing so well and bless them through a kind encouraging word, through a special prayer, through a helping hand. Be GOD’s hand extended into someone’s life today!

Scripture Reading: “You are righteous, Lord, and Your judgments are just. The decrees You issue are righteous and altogether trustworthy. My anger overwhelms me because my foes forget Your words. Your word is completely pure, and Your servant loves it. I am insignificant and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your instruction is true. Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but Your commands are my delight. Your decrees are righteous forever. Give me understanding, and I will live.” (Psalm 119:137-144 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I am overwhelmed by my problems today. I don’t know how much more I can take before I break. It seems the enemy just keeps packing on the problems and the weight has nearly overcome me. Today, I place my trust completely in You to take this heavy load from me before I break. I pray that by Your Spirit I may find relief, peace and the ability to move forth in the victory You have for me. I realize that things that come into my life can be used to strengthen me and I am trusting that as I look back on this terrible time I have gone through that I will always see the victory that You brought me through by Your power. Thank You, Father for loving me and never giving up on me…I trust completely in You! I love You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

I’m Just Not the One!

Are there times when you feel you’re just not the one? You don’t have the education? You don’t have the experience? You don’t know the Bible well enough? You are just a baby Christian? Or, an abundance of other excuses for not brandishing the Sword of the Lord and proceeding into the battle!

We can look at ourselves and our inabilities and bow out as simply not the type of person Jesus would choose to use in His service. The idea that “I can’t do this” or “I can’t do that” has duped you into believing you are incapable of being all that GOD has called you to be. So, you have bowed out rather than accepting the challenge to be all you can be for the sake of the Kingdom of GOD!

Let me give you something to think about for a moment. The Scripture tells us: “When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, ‘Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before Him.’ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:6-7 HCSB).

GOD had rejected Saul as king over the Israelites. He sent His prophet, Samuel, to anoint His chosen replacement. When he entered the house, he was confronted by the oldest son and, in his head determined this is the man. But, GOD spoke to Samuel and told him to quit looking at all the outside things that man looks at like giftings, talents, looks, stature and so much more.

GOD told Samuel to take a look at the man’s heart! The outside can be deceiving. The outside is not always a good indicator of the true man. What man may consider the greatest may be incapable of truly carrying out GOD’s plans because it is the heart of man that directs the man’s true actions.

Six sons passed in front of Samuel that day and six times GOD said, “NO!” Somewhat bewildered, Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons and Jesse responded, “There is still the youngest, but right now he’s tending the sheep” (v. 11). When David was called in, Samuel’s was convinced in his spirit that this was GOD’s choice for the job.

You may seem inadequate for kingdom work. You may have feelings of inferiority. You may lack the education, the training, even the right upbringing, but GOD isn’t necessarily looking for those things. GOD is looking for a willing heart. GOD is looking for individuals who are willing and ready to get busy turning their world upside down by the power of GOD working through them—seeking individuals willing to say, “Yes, LORD, I am willing, send me!”

I’m just not the one will not suffice. When GOD calls, simply respond, “Here I am, willing and ready!” GOD will take you and mold you and shape you and work wonders through you. GOD uses the willing to perform His work through. How will you respond today?

Scripture Reading: “Why do the nations rebel and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and His Anointed One: ‘Let us tear off their chains and free ourselves from their restraints.’ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them. Then He speaks to them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath: ‘I have consecrated My King on Zion, My holy mountain.’ I will declare the Lord’s decree: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son; today I have become Your Father. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; You will shatter them like pottery.’ So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverential awe, and rejoice with trembling. Pay homage to the Son, or He will be angry, and you will perish in your rebellion, for His anger may ignite at any moment. All those who take refuge in Him are happy” (Psalm 2 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I admit I have failed often to stand up and carry out the work You give me to do. I have allowed the world to dictate my worth and in so doing have failed to be the witness you have called me to be. I recognize You have called me and You will empower me to do great and marvelous works for Your Kingdom, if I will only submit fully to You. Please help me to take my eyes off of what the world would expect of me and to simply sell myself completely out to You and Your work. GOD, work through me; I give myself fully to You!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!