Fear Not!

As year 2019 approaches

the enemy is already trying to impart "fear." This is one of the most strategic weapons Satan tries to engulf us in. He uses fear to impact our vision, our mind, strength, but most of all...our inheritance that God has promised us. Abundant living is a promise that we can have but Satan wants us to believe otherwise.

At times when we view our current situation, it can appear to be, as though we lost something that is unrecoverable.

When this happens, we become fearful, and cannot move past the situation. The story of Joshua is an encouraging narrative to help us in times of distress where fear is lurking.

The Bible says that God commissioned Joshua immediately after Moses died. Like Joshua at times, we can face what seem to be a great loss; maybe a person, place, or thing we may have depended on but no-longer exist. This can make us feel as though we have lost the promises also — but not so.

When God shift we need to shift with God. In the story of Joshua, a shift happened when Moses passed away. We can only imagine how fearful the people became knowing they came that far but still not accessed the promise. If we do not shift when God shifts, then fear comes in. When fear comes in strong (most fear is big and strong), its goal is to take a front-row seat to drive us down a bitter, tearful, scared, upset or angry road. We may not want to call it fear, but that's what it is.

Fear is not supposed to be in the first position of our thoughts — impelling us emotionally. First, we should stop allowing our mind to be set to a continuous replay or view of our situation, which leads us to believe this is how it ends.

We can shift our thoughts and change our view by believing that the promise is still alive, but it is up to us to arise a go get it. This is a repeated process at times because fear is tricky and will sneak back in whenever it can gain access.

Another lie that Satan wants us to believe is that we have no power over our situation, and it is here to overtake us. Please know that he is a liar!! The truth is WE DO HAVE POWER over fear — we just have to exercise it.

When overwhelming things happen, this is time to reload, gird-up, wash off grief and despair garments, drink plenty of water (let the Spirit of God hover over us - Genesis 1) to renew our strength to go forth in the promise that we win.

Here is something to pay close attention to that encouraged me! Even in the midst of "fear" God is still there, this is how you will know — in the midst of fear, He gives instruction with actions attached to them in order to pull us up out of the fear.

In the book of Joshua chapter 1, the Lord gave Joshua specific instructions after Moses died: "Now, therefore, ARISE to go over THIS JORDAN, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them ...EVERY PLACE that the sole of YOUR FOOT WILL TREAD UPON I HAVE GIVEN YOU..." These are words of encouragement and promise! Joshua needed to hear this to make the shift to receive the promise.

The "fear" factor comes to stop us, but we have the "best recipe" ever for removing fear. Perfect love casts out fear. God's love for all of us is perfect. We must remember who we are! In our most downward spiral — look up because God is there, and has not forsaken us!

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:

because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Now, when we kick fear out - remember that our inheritance awaits us. The encouragements of the promise give us the strength to arise and move forward. In having our inheritance, we must remember there are some conditions to be fulfilled while in the process of possessing what God has for us.

God's commandment for living a righteous life is NOT hard but in fact, very doable. The greatest commandment is LOVE! We cannot take love lightly. Love will keep and sustain us through everything in life. This will make our way prosperous.

Joshua 1:7

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you;

do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left,

that you may prosper wherever you go.

Joshua 1:5 says “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” This is another promise to receive.

Psalm 91 & Isaiah 41:10 are both great prayer promises that we can all hold on to when fear tries to creep in. No matter how bad it look, or how weak we become — these are words to strengthen and encourage us through it. Proclaim it, and make it a declaration in your heart.

Psalm 91:5-7

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,

Nor of the destruction that lays waste

at noonday

A thousand may fall at your side,

And ten thousand at your right hand;

But it shall not come near you.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.