Freedom from the four letter "F" word...

This is a topic of fear...

Today at church the pastor spoke on fear and how God tells us to not let ourselves get caught up in fear!

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; My peace I now give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not *LET* your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.... It specifically says do not "let" my heart be afraid. So if I am scared, worried, concerned or afraid... I'm LETTING myself.

The Bible does say I will walk through the river and it will not overtake me. Well that means that I must still walk through the river... Rivers at floodstage can feel overwhelming, like you are going to be swept away. God promises that it will not overtake me *if* I lean on faith not fear.

Isaiah 35:3-10

We give ourselves excuses for being frightened. At most of us have frightful things in our lives, but God tells us NOT to be frightened. When the disciples were in the boat and it was being covered in waves (they had something to be afraid of), yet Jesus said to them , "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?". If I am filled with fear I cannot have the faith that Jesus Christ will bring me out of it. Where there is fear there is no faith. The two cannot be in your heart at the same time!

Joshua 1:6-9 This is also a commandment! Be strong and couragious! Jesus says specifically that I am to read the word of God, "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth." My mouth, meaning I need to speak the word of God so that I can be strong! And this scripture even tells us that it is a commandment to not fear! "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!" Can you be strong and courageous and still have fear!? There is a song that I learned in camp when I was in elementary school. During this message it came to the forefront of my mind.

"Be BOLD! Be STRONG! For the Lord our God is with us. Be BOLD! Be STRONG! For the Lord our God is with us. Do not be afraid, do not be dismayed. I'm gonna walk in faith and victory, I'm gonna walk in faith and victory! For the Lord our God is with us!"

This is my belief... I am not allowed to wallow in my sorrows, I cannot let fear grip me. What am I so afraid of? Death is the worst thing that can happen and even then I am going to be with the Lord Jesus Christ!! What trivial things in life are holding me back? So what if my ex doesn't like me? So what if I am without a boyfriend/husband? What if I feel foolish? Am I afraid people won't like me? God has commanded me to be strong and courageous!

It's easier said then done. But I am willing to try!