When you look at the road that is before you, what do you see?
In your human strength, are you afraid to take the first step?
Well, today I am here to tell you don’t be! Your Heavenly Father has gone before you and has made ways in the wilderness and streams in the wastelands according to Isaiah 43:29.
Do not allow fear to cripple you today!
2 Timothy 1-7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Over the last few months, I have been dealing with some health issues. I do not mind being pressed, but when the pressure is ongoing, at times, I feel that I will not be able to make it.
I am a born fighter and a very determined/disciplined individual who puts pleasure aside to accomplish my goals.
There was nothing that I told myself that I would accomplish in the past and not do just that.
This season, however, is different! The storm has been raging for many months, and I am bombarded daily with fleshly thoughts. I am human right?
I just want to be honest and open to the struggling person who might not have a strong support system as I do.
- Do you struggle to exercise faith when you are suffering for an extended period of time?
- When exercising faith, does flesh sometimes kick in when your reality contradicts everything you are praying about?
- In fact, do you battle fleshly thoughts when it seems the more you pray, the more intense the winds and the waves get?
- How do you chase away those thoughts and stand firm by faith?
In this season, I now have no choice but to counteract all negative thoughts with the life-giving and never changing word of God. I have to consciously decide to live not being afraid.
Have you ever been so afraid that you had to make a choice not to be?
- Have you ever made a choice to do something afraid because you know despite your circumstances, God would work all things out for your good?
I have to look at all the symptoms that I face daily and remind myself that they all have found an end in the finished work of Christ. Because by His stripes, I have been healed.
I have to see myself not according to what I am going through, but according to how God is seeing me and what He is saying about me.
I ask you today friend, if you are dealing with challenges that make you feel so pressured to do the same.
I remind myself daily of what God is saying about me in the following Bible verses:
Psalm 91: 14-16
14 “Because Kim loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue her; I will protect her, for she acknowledges my name.
15 She will call on me, and I will answer her; I will be with her in trouble, I will deliver her and honour her.
16 With long life, I will satisfy her and show her my salvation.”
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 46:4
Someone reminded me of this Bible verse recently.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
In life, we tend to want to show the beautiful side to life. But for the person dealing with a fiery situation, I say today, friend, we all have to face challenges at times; life has its challenges, life is not all smooth sailing all the time. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that make no sense. We do not put ourselves in harm’s way, but we find ourselves there.
Today I encourage you to start each day dressed according to Ephesians 6:10-18:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
With everything in you, encourage yourself and by God’s grace, survive this season. Your better days are ahead. This is a chapter out of a beautiful story God is using your life to write.
P.S: Stay on your knees.
Today I hope these songs encourage you.
