I’ve been thinking recently of how easy it is for me to become fearful rather than to live by faith. Fear is a common problem, and I’ve seen even people who I consider to be strong and courageous leaders succumb to fear. In part, the issue is focusing on the wrong thing.
When we are fearful we are focusing on the problem, the issue at hand. We begin to wonder how, and if we can overcome this obstacle? Yet, God calls us to be men and women of faith. He rewards faith, not fear. One of my favorite verses that I quote almost daily is 2 Timothy 1:7,
“We have not been given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and sound mind.”
I get frustrated with fear, because I think, well I don’t fear speaking in front of people as much as I once did. I can see God’s given me more confidence. Yet there are times when I can get really down, because I’m focusing on the problem instead of the problem solver. The ultimate problem solver.
Our difficulties are simple things for the Lord, but He is using them. He is committed to making us and molding us to be more and more like Christ. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith for us,
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”
When you think of it when we live by fear instead of faith we harm ourselves. Stress and anxiety are a result of fear. These fears eat away at our bodies and they keep our doctors busy.
My prayer is that each day I will focus more and more on the being a man of faith. Truly believing in God and His promises. This is hugely important as I seek to be a good father and husband as well a leader. “O Lord, I have so far to go, but you are faithful even when I am faithless.”
“I do pray that you would help my unbelief.”
“Lord, when we face trials and obstacles in life I pray that we will turn to you in faith. Please do increase my faith. Increase the faith of my wife, my sons and my daughter. Increase the faith of my friends and colleagues. Increase the faith of your church. O that we would live each day, each moment by faith.”
In His Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeontheBorder.org
11 Comments
By Charis Psallo
I also struggle with fear. Some one said to me that when I am afraid it is because I have been listening to the wrong boss. I am not qualified to listen to that one. I am not qualified to be afraid. Isaiah 51:12 “I, I am he who comforts you;
who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
of the son of man who is made like grass,
13 and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth,
and you fear continually all the day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
when he sets himself to destroy?
And where is the wrath of the oppressor?
14 He who is bowed down shall speedily be released;
he shall not die and go down to the pit,
neither shall his bread be lacking.
15 I am the Lord your God,
who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—
the Lord of hosts is his name.
16 And I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you in the shadow of my hand,
establishing the heavens
and laying the foundations of the earth,
and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”
Blessings on you and your family.
By diasolifeontheborder
That’s a good word – thanks so much!
By 5 Minute Bible
Ongoing theme this week. Thank you for your thoughts, the Lord is definitely dealling with me on this!
By diasolifeontheborder
I think it’s an ongoing theme with many of us. Hope things are going better as you keep your eyes on Jesus.
By Naphtali
Thanks for such a good reminder! God bless!
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks and I enjoy many of your helpful posts!
By LoriHutchins
Perfect timing, Dave. We needed the reminder this week especially. We appreciate you!
By diasolifeontheborder
We pray your trip goes well!
By John Bell
Im so glad I saw this tonight. It confronted my present fear sabtoging my efforts to be more passionate and public with my faith. I value your openness. It has helped more ways than one. Jesus bless your work.
By diasolifeontheborder
I’m glad you found it helpful. I think Satan would want us to get our eyes off of Christ and to make our problems seem bigger than God is. In part it’s an issue of control – we want control of our lives, whereas God was us to trust Him with our lives.
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