Every once in a while I like to invite a guest to share with my readers. I do my best to find guests that will provide posts that will be both a blessing and an encouragement to you. Today, I am thrilled to introduce my friend Judith Harvey! She is a wonderful writer; her content is profound, stirring and relevant. I’m honored that she has agreed to share with us on Apostolic Talk.
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After walking out the doctor’s office for the sixth time in three weeks, my friend Stacy stopped at the Starbucks three blocks away debating her choice of iced coffee or latte. Before making her purchase, she sat down and looked out the window staring mindlessly at nothing while her mind raced in turmoil through all the negative circumstances that have plagued her lately.
First, it was her child’s health, then her job downsizing and immediately following that was her health scare. She tried to pray for courage but the crippling effects of her fear of the ‘what’s next’ left her weak, frozen and immobile. It took Stacy a little while to realize that she had placed the spotlight on her horrifying circumstances instead of on God’s promises.
What are you afraid of? Do you, out of fear, focus on circumstances you cannot change? There may be things that you feel you can confidently conquer while there are those things like public speaking or a medical diagnosis that can stop you in your tracks, sending you in a state of total paralysis; all you can see is that “thing” that freezes you in one spot where you can’t even pray.
Every human being is born with some sort of fear, which makes it a universal emotion, but it becomes a killer when we are unable to put our fears in perspective in order for us to move on to the things we actually can change. Some folks seek to put their fears into context by religiously meeting with their shrinks, while others trade their sobriety for a good drink, “drowning away their sorrows” they say, not realizing that there’s a more excellent way.
Thank God for His Word, which has an abundance of reasons why we should turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to our fears. Reminders such as Deut. 31:6, (NKJV) “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Or Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Or Isaiah 41:13(NIV)“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Time and the limits of this page will not allow me to mention them all, but the point I’m hoping to make is; if God is for us tell me who or what can defeat us?
The situations we fear the most shows us where we trust God the least; so the next time we’re faced with a frightening situation, let’s put it in perspective by turning to His word. Hebrews 4:12 admonishes that God’s word is a sharp and powerful sword – a sword we can use to cut down our fears and give us courage in any circumstance.
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This was an awesome expression on defeating fear. Fear can be indeed paralytic when it is not been allowed to undergo surgical removal through the process by the word of God and extensive lasering by His Holy Spirit. Great encouragement Judith/Paula! Thanks
AW – This post was well timed. God always bring comfort to his people through his word. This lets us know that we are not alone even when we feel that we are. What a mighty God. This was well written and extremely relatable.
Thanks all!