-Strength for Today- "Your Faith Should Be Bigger than Your Fears. - Isaiah 26 1-4.
Are you struggling and overwhelmed with challenges? Are you carrying around the “heaviness” of anxiety? Or is there a situation in your life that’s robbing you of your peace of mind? Possibly, right now you’re facing a difficult situation, whereas the “fog of uncertainty” is “worsening,” and to make matters blander, the only voice you hear is coming from those negative, inner voices,” that’s whispering to your spirit, all the reasons why you’ll never be “happy,” and “resourceful” again.
But look at it this way, “...God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind,” (2 Timothy 2:7), which is a “disciplined mind,” which isn’t fogged with fear but with “certainty,” and the “assured blessing of God. With a “disciplined mind,” through faith in “the delivering power of the Lord Jesus Christ,” you have the “peace of mind,” that God’s “grace,” and “purpose,” purchased at Calvary, when His blood was poured out for yours and my freedom on the cross.
Therefore, on the cross, that old thief, the devil, and his “emotional unpleasantry of fear,” was arrested, and for that cause, we inherited “peace with God. "Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” - Isaiah 23:3
Could it be that you’re carrying burdens that God didn't intend you to bear? Jesus said, “Come to Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28), so instead of measuring your problems according to your own abilities. Instead, hand situations that you can’t manage yourself over to God, and He’ll do the rest!
So, when you wake up each morning, keep God foremost in your mind. Pause to pray and praise Him. Then, during the day, ponder upon God’s presence and know that He is with you wherever you go. And don’t let your imagination run wild, or allow negative images to play like an old movie in your mind. Rather, build your faith by replacing your “fears” by verbally reciting God’s truths:
? God told Isaiah, “Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (-Isaiah 40:31.
? David wrote, “The Lord is my light and my deliverer. Whom then shall, I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid?” - Psalm 27:1.
? When Jonah was in the belly of the great fish, he focused on God and uttered, “When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord.” Jonah 2:7).
? The Psalmist said, “I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears.” -Psalm 34:4. And Paul inscribed, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” - Romans 8:31.
Cast your cares on God, for He’ll meet your needs and bring all things together for your highest good. It’s only a matter of time before circumstances turn around. Including this pandemic, we’re facing. Because, there’s nothing “too big,” or so “broken,” that God cannot “renew” and “restore.”
So, boldly choose to live each day full of hope, joy and peace. Regardless of what you’re up against, God is saying to you today, “Do not be afraid.” “Be strong and courageous.” “Fear not.” “You can trust me.” And with that confidence, your faith will become bigger than your fears. So, take a single, courageous step forward into the amazing future of blessings God has in store for you!
Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD