God has invested a lot into mankind; “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. (John 3:16 AKJV). The Gift of God, The
Lord Jesus Christ said, “. . . I Am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Psalms 103:2-5 documents the abundant benefits that love of God has given to us: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
2 Peter 1:3 reveals that God has provided, already, everything that we will ever need in our lifetime to live a holy and godly life, and also for every need: our health, our education, our financially stability – everything!
through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises . . .”
But it is through faith in His word that we receive these things, “That you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises”, (Hebrews 6:13). It is through the exercising of our faith: by speaking it, meditating on it, and applying the Word of God – which is also called “the Word of Faith” (Romans 10:8), along with patience that all the blessings, healings, prosperity, and peace of mind manifests.
However, the enemies of faith are unbelief in His Word and fear. This fear reveals itself when we don’t believe what God has done for us, when we don’t believe that He is with us, and when we don’t believe the positive image that He has of us and that He expects us to have of ourselves. Fear causes a person to have a diminished image of themselves. While God says the opposite: “You, are the light of the world!” (Matthew 5:14).
There are people who claim they have faith in God, but are afraid to drive across town; they don’t believe in themselves and the great intelligence that God has given them. Some are afraid to go to college or to pursue a university degree because of a fear of failure. But they are not seeing that God has provided them with the ability to do these things because, “According as his divine power HAS GIVEN us all things that pertain to life”. Doesn’t driving pertain to life? Doesn’t getting an education pertain to life? We MUST believe in ourselves, because God believes in us, and He has invested His heavenly divine powers for our providence.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 4:19)
Planning is another aspect that some people are afraid to do. The fear of planning grips a person so much that they are afraid to make decisions because they are afraid to fail. Some people are afraid to plan, because that is the first step, the beginning of a commitment to take on some task, and they become fearful.
But God tells us in the scriptures that we have to make plans. The scripture says a man plans his way, but God directs his steps. God will direct a person in their planning, but He expects us to do our part. I’m sure the devil is really happy for you to be afraid to plan things that you are passionate about. But once you get going and start using your faith and activate your mind, it becomes enjoyable to make plans and watch them come to fruition.
God wants us to plan, it exercises our brilliance and our creativity. We are like God, who is very creative, and He wants us, and expects us to plan because it establishes our lives for the present and the future. We make decisions regarding our family, our education, our health, our retirement, and our finances. A lot of people are afraid to plan their future and just hope that God does it all. But that’s not going to happen. We can do it,
by the power of the Holy Spirit “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), and Christ was and is the smartest person that ever walked the earth; and the same Spirit that moved Him, will move us.
Following is author and motivational speaker, Jon Gordon’s, observances when he spoke to an audience regarding the topic, “How to Overcome Negative Thoughts and Fear”. He asked, “Do you struggle with Fear?” Every hand in the audience went up when I asked the question. “Do your negative thoughts come from you?” Most said “Yes.” “Are you sure,” I asked? “Who would ever choose to have a negative thought?”
Eyes widened, some heads shook and a few people smiled. They were having an Ah-Ha moment.
I then explained that your negative thoughts don’t come from you. They come from consciousness. They pop in at random times or, for some, more frequently. They are like an unwanted surprise guest that show up at your front door to tell you how weak, unworthy, insignificant and incapable you are. But here’s the deal.
Like any unwanted surprise guest, you decide whether or not to entertain them. A thought’s power only comes from the power you give it. You don’t have to give your negative thoughts power. You can ignore them.
You can see them for what they truly are: lies, lies, lies.
Always remember that just because you have a negative thought doesn’t mean you have to believe it.
Fear is a liar and if you struggle with fear and negative thoughts, it’s because you believe the lies that they tell. Fear stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear looks and feels true but it isn’t.
Fear says you aren’t strong enough, good enough, successful enough, wealthy enough, happy enough, smart enough, talented enough. Well, I say enough with fear. Instead, know the truth. You have everything you need inside you to be successful. You weren’t meant to be average. You have a desire to be great because you were created and born to do great things. You have a purpose. There’s a plan for your life. You may be going through a hard time now but the best is yet to come.” (- Jon Gordon)
Reference: www.jongordon.com/positivetip/negative-thoughts-and-fear.html
Fear is forever conquered through the knowledge that God has already provided everything we need in this life and we have access to those things through faith in Jesus Christ and through His Name. We continue to exercise our faith, just like a bodybuilder and athletes maintain their physical fitness, sharpness and strength; we maintain our own “faith fitness” by continually meditating on, confessing and reciting God’s Word with our lips, which builds a hedge of protection, power, wisdom and knowledge around us as stated in Joshua 1:8:
“This book of the law (or Word of God) shalt not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein,
for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success”.
MORE SCRIPTURES AND QUOTES AGAINST FEAR
“Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies and of the son of man who is made like grass, that you have forgotten the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, as he makes ready to destroy?”
(Isaiah 5:12,13 NASB)
“Run after your fears. Chase them.
Make them shake, and dread the day you gained enough confidence to realize they were full of s***”. – Unknown
“Face your fears, pursue your ambitions, and become the hero you’re destined to be”. – Josh Kaufman
“Fear does not stop death. It stops life”. – Vi Keeland
“Never let fear decide your future”. – Unknown
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”. – Nelson Mandela
“Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will”. – W. Clement Stone
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us”. (Romans 8:37 AKJV)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.
But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear”. – Jack Canfield
“If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. (John 8:31-32 AKJV)
“He who has overcome his fears will truly be free”. – Aristotle
We have one lifetime opportunity on earth to fulfill God’s duties assigned to us and to fulfill our personal dreams, pursuits and goals. We aren’t going to die, comeback to the Earth, and get a second chance to fulfill God’s calling, our dreams or the desires of our hearts. While we are alive, NOW, we have to do it.
Therefore, if you have any chains holding you back, release the manacles of fear and let’s get busy! – Terry Yahweh
This piece was reprinted from the July 2019 Tolliver Family Newsletter prepared by Terry Yahweh