FEARLESS OVERCOMING THE STRONGHOLD OF FEAR
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1.CHOOSE HOPE OVER DESPAIR
In my journey to overcome the stronghold of fear, I have learned that fear is not of the Lord. He longs for us to live a life free from its grips. Over time and with the grace of the Lord, He has shown me how to overcome my fears. Whatever your battle might be, you can overcome it as you place your hope in the saving power of Jesus Christ. You cannot conquer fear in your own strength. Every day, I had to choose hope over despair. My encouragement to you as you read this devotional is to choose hope.
Hope, by its nature, is future-focused. It has its foundation firmly secure in trusting in God. Hope in your heart can give you the strength you need to conquer your specific fear. In an atmosphere of praise and worship, hope can arise. So, today, if you feel like despairing, don’t give up. Lift your head and worship God. Hope in God will not disappoint you, and hope will give you the courage to continue on the journey of overcoming fear.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalms 121:1-2 NIV
2.CHOOSE FAITH OVER FEAR
So, what does fear do? Fear prompts us to cover up what we really feel. Think about it for a moment. Whether you face a fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of not being enough, fear of losing control, fear of violence, fear of illness or death, or any kind of phobia, you will end up hiding. Fear causes people to hide by disguising who they really are from others (even from themselves at times) or to pretend to be someone else.
Choose today to trust in God to help you by placing your faith in Him. He will empower you with all you need to overcome your fear(s). Faith is something you can choose to exercise as you engage in this battle against fear. Don't listen to the lie that you cannot defeat it. You only need a little amount of faith to move that mountain. Faith will grow as it feeds on the truth of the Word of God. Faith can bring your hope into reality.
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.””
Matthew 17:20 NIV
3.CHOOSE LOVE OVER HATE
In your battle against fear, one of the greatest weapons at your disposal is love. You are loved—more than you know. Once you realize how very loved you are, you can garner the strength to fight this spirit of fear. God gives us a spirit of love and not one of fear.
Learn to live—loved. A loving heart is a loved heart. You cannot say you love others yet hate yourself—or them. Fear would have you traverse the complex road of unforgiveness and hate. These two concepts bind you further in chains. A forgiving heart is a forgiven heart and in that, there is no place for hate. Fear will lie to you and keep you captive, whereas love guides you into freedom. Love is the way of the kingdom of God.
“He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ””
Luke 10:27 NIV
4.CHOOSE RIGHT THINGKING OVER TOXIC THINGKING
In your battle to conquer fear, you will most likely find the conflict raging within your mind and emotions. No thought should ever enter your mind unchecked. We are guided by the Word of God to renew our minds to think full, clear thoughts. This can happen by learning how to think about things according to the spirit of God.
Emotions are, by nature, followers. They were never meant to lead us, but instead, follow the truth. Truth is a great leader. We read and obey the Word of God, thereby allowing it to shape our feelings. It is a skill you can cultivate. I had to learn to surrender my feelings to the truth of God's word and then listen carefully to what He said to me. Let your emotions wave the white flag so that truth can lead you.
When fear comes knocking and makes you feel overwhelmed or anxious, don’t give it access to your emotions. Instead, let truth answer the door and give clear directions.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
5.CHOOSE TO SURRENDER OVER STRIVING
I discovered that when I gave up my fears to the Father and I received His love, I was able to start healing. Fear no longer had a hold over me. I was ready to embrace living a fearless life because as a child of God, I could overcome. It was by His power and strength that I could let truth lead—that I could apply wisdom to my lifestyle—to make right decisions and changes that lead to the wellbeing of my life and my family. It's not by my own strength. I could not conquer fear without the power of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding me.
God wants to heal you from any form of fear. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as you surrender your fears to Him. Listen to His voice. Learn to think full, clear thoughts and walk free. You can live free because Christ has set you free from fear in all its forms.
Live a surrendered life because that's the key to living a fearless life.
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
Luke 9:24-25 NIV