Facing Fear!

One problem dominates, FEAR. Fear of facing our giants in life whether they are private or public, fear that we will be defeated and cannot overcome them. People are afraid. People, young and old, are afraid of losing their health, wealth, and job. They are afraid of the future, being left alone, rejected and embarrassed. They are afraid of death, and even of public speaking, afraid of grief and sickness, broken hearts and pain. While some fears are constructive, most fears paralyze and render us ineffective. Throughout scripture, we are told not to be afraid. Jesus often said “Fear not!” and we are reassured in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  So why do we still have fears? We are afraid because at the root of our fears is the fact that we find ourselves unable to fully trust God. Fear and the lack of trust go hand in hand. However, every instance of fear is also an opportunity to trust in God and move from fear to courage. One of the most powerful weapons that the devil uses against us is intimidation.

5 KEYS TO FACING GIANTS/OVERCOMING FEAR:

1. Guard your eyes – watch what you are looking at

The first principle in overcoming fear is to watch what you are focusing on. Are you focusing on God or your circumstances? Fear comes from focusing on our circumstances rather than on God.

“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” (Psalm 3:3)

“I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.” (Psalm 3:6)

2. Guard your ears – be careful who you listen to

The moment Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him, he said to David, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert?” (1 Samuel 17:28)

But David demonstrated that he was a giant inside. He turned away from Eliab’s discouragement and continued to pursue God’s glory. David did not allow any discouragement to dilute his courage and passion for the Lord. I.e. David defeated the giant and killed Goliath who had been taunting and gripping the Israelites in fear, for 40 days.

If you listen to the wrong people, you will exchange your faith for their fear.

3. Guard your mind – remember the right thing

“But David said to Saul: “… When a lion or bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth…this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them because he defiled the armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of the Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:34-37)

To overcome fear, you must fill your mind with the powerful things that God has done in your life. David remembered how God was with him in the past, and it filled him with confidence.

4. Guard your heart – be confident with God’s provision

When fear threatens to strike, remember to
1. Do what you know
2. Use what God has put in your hand
3. Stick to faithful old sling and stone

David wrote, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Psalms 56:3-4)

5. Guard your back – cut off the root of your fear

It is not enough to immobilise our giants or knock them out temporarily. We must literally cut them off from our lives. And there is only one way to put an end to crippling fear – by applying the truth of the God’s resurrection to our lives.

The truth is, all of us have “Goliaths” in our lives and experience challenges that intimidate us. There are fears that haunt, accuse, and make us feel miserable. These fears rob us of courage and cause us to live in a constant state of fear. However in Christ, we do not need to be afraid. We are no longer bound in fear, but in the security of our King of Kings and our Lord of Lords. He is our victory, courage and confidence.

*As, I continue on teaching the youth the Facing the Giants study on Wednesday nights through August... and then we will move on to new studies this fall and winter, it blesses my heart to see them soak it in like a sponge and that they're able to answer questions from the week before. Lord, for the season and time that you give me to teach these youth, let me make a difference for Your Glory. I love that I can incorporate a game they can have fun with, at the end of the lesson, but it helps them to learn too; it gives them the illustration that they need. For example, like this past week's game being called headbandz and knowing that we face giants that are both public and private. Sometimes we can't see what the other person is going through, just like I couldn't see what was on my card during this game and I had to ask questions and narrow it down to whether it was a thing, a food, an animal, etc. and vice versa. Even when we can't see what we're fixing to go through or understand what we're going through, God will always give us the courage and the strength we need to figure it out together and face it head-on; answers will come in God's time. Through our fears and anxieties it may be impossible but with God it is possible and we need to expect that possibility! ♡ #ministryLife #youthleader #facingthegiants #summerstudy #purpose #thankful

The Here After, Not the Here Now!

From 2015... God's still supernaturally protecting me three years later, and I praise Him for that.

7/27 on into 7/28/15 this week, I dreamed about destruction coming to this world, as if it is not already here, but I was doing everything I could to stay alive. I seen folks being killed, shot, on fire and burning up right before my eyes, bombs going off, me trying to rescue babies from death, I was trying to help others survive, but once again at the end of the dream, I was still alive. It just seems so vivid and stays on my mind, knowing God's warnings aren't to be taken lightly or ignored. In the beginning of the dream(s) I am afraid but by the end I am always at peace and not fearful for my life. I've had a series of dreams like this many times over throughout the year and everytime I survive. I don't know what I am going to see or face for the remainder of my time on earth, but I have a calm assurance in knowing that God continually has His hand of protection on my life. I know I am going to be spared from suffering when it comes to eternity because I am a saved child of God, and I don't walk in fear about what lies ahead. Judgement is coming to the United States. The wrath of God is coming. Those who aren't God's chosen won't know what hits them until it is over with. Get your life lined up with the word of God. I know and understand that I could be raptured away at any moment, and that is what I have to stay focused on... The here after, not the here now!!

Praying too much?

There is no such thing as praying too much, the problem is we don't pray enough... Oh, the Lord is taking me through a season where I realize we've got to pray until we pray through. You want to see lost loved ones saved, you want to see this country turn back to God, you want to see conviction of sins take place, you want to see deliverance, healing, miracles, and a mighty move of God... It's time to get on your knees or lay on your face before God and pray. You don't have to pray fancy, sometimes you don't even have to pray out loud, God hears those silent prayers! I know what prayer can do!

Music for HIM not them!

God has been dealing with me about this: When it is time for worship, your eyes should be on Him, not them! Stop holding back and let go and let God!

The Lord was speaking to me about how we strive to reach perfection on earth when it comes to being a church musician or leading worship, we are consumed with missed chords, getting the harmony just right, melody, rhythm, etc. that we can't get lost in true worship to God. Going into a piano and singing position and helping lead worship at church now, the Lord gave me this opportunity in May, I see how important it is not to get caught up in the perfecting of the music; if it sounds stiff and too rehearsed the anointing tends to get lost. Yes, it is important to practice and give your best but God is just concerned about our heart not harmony. I have spent countless hours practicing music and singing and praying for God to help me improve over the past 20 years and He has. If it is anointed that is what matters most. He is more pleased with someone singing from their heart than someone who hits every note correctly but it is nothing but a performance. I have seen the power of God move and bless people many times over with songs being sung off pitch (because that person was giving their all and singing from their heart). I have been told countless times that people see my heart for Jesus, or they see Jesus through me when I sing, or they felt the anointing... that is what I want to hear and strive to hear... not, you never missed a chord, you were on key the entire song, etc.

God spoke this directly to me: If you miss a note on the instrument or singing, that is not important to Me, you are obeying Me when you sing. When you sing, you dig deep roots in the word. Our singing is more than a warm-up for the sermon or a filler in the service. Colossians 3:16 is clearly laying out for us that: Singing stands alongside of preaching as one of the two great ways that God has ordained for His Word to dwell richly in each one of us! When you sing, you build up others. When you sing, you are spiritually strengthened for trials. Worship music builds your faith, it gets your focus back where it needs to be. Even in suffering, sing! When you sing, you walk a God-designed pathway to joy. There is no telling how many hours I have spent singing at home, in the car, at churches, but I know how much it has helped me to keep going and healed my hurt and heart. Psalms 63:7: “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.” If you struggle for joy…sing! If you are joyful… sing! Even if it doesn't sound good to your human ears, listen with your spiritual ears and heart... that's how God is hearing others. When you sing, you glorify God. Oh, the day of perfection will come when we reach that heavenly choir until then... sing “to God” and “to the Lord” because He, alone, is the reason for our praise. Ephesians 5:19 says, “singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” It is to Him and about Him that we sing!