Read Matthew 6:25-34
Fear is running rampant in our world today. It is a tool of the enemy and he uses it to his advantage every single day. Sadly, even the church has become a catalyst for fear. Our voices proclaim the message of doom and gloom as loud (if not louder) as the media.
In a world desperate for hope, how can we expect the lost to find joy and freedom in a church full of fear-filled saints?
Fears keep sons and daughters of God from embracing the life He offers. It tells us that we are not enough, unloved, alone, forgotten. It builds a case in our minds that convince us that God is holding out on us, loves other more and, ultimately, that He cannot be trusted.
Those very lies started in the beginning of time. Satan’s lies to Eve were just that – “did God really say?” His words implied to Eve that God’s word should be called into question. He struck a chord in her heart, building up a fear that God wasn’t who He said He was and therefore, she would have to be more, know more and do more in order to be happy.
Sound familiar? How many of us find ourselves running ragged throughout life, desperate to keep everything afloat? We fear letting people down…being abandoned by those we love…dying…not having all we want or need…the list goes on and on.
Consumed by the anxieties, sons and daughters end up missing out on a joy-filled life in their quest to either foster or eradicate their fears. Is fear in your life? Let’s analyze our lives and then study what a fearless life looks like.
Ask yourself:
~ Am I living a life of fear?
~ How is fear affecting my physical body?
~ How is fear affecting my relationships with others?
~ Am I guilty of trusting in myself more than trusting God?
~ How is fear affecting the Body of Christ?
Fear is running rampant in our world today. It is a tool of the enemy and he uses it to his advantage every single day. Sadly, even the church has become a catalyst for fear. Our voices proclaim the message of doom and gloom as loud (if not louder) as the media.
In a world desperate for hope, how can we expect the lost to find joy and freedom in a church full of fear-filled saints?
Fears keep sons and daughters of God from embracing the life He offers. It tells us that we are not enough, unloved, alone, forgotten. It builds a case in our minds that convince us that God is holding out on us, loves other more and, ultimately, that He cannot be trusted.
Those very lies started in the beginning of time. Satan’s lies to Eve were just that – “did God really say?” His words implied to Eve that God’s word should be called into question. He struck a chord in her heart, building up a fear that God wasn’t who He said He was and therefore, she would have to be more, know more and do more in order to be happy.
Sound familiar? How many of us find ourselves running ragged throughout life, desperate to keep everything afloat? We fear letting people down…being abandoned by those we love…dying…not having all we want or need…the list goes on and on.
Consumed by the anxieties, sons and daughters end up missing out on a joy-filled life in their quest to either foster or eradicate their fears. Is fear in your life? Let’s analyze our lives and then study what a fearless life looks like.
Ask yourself:
~ Am I living a life of fear?
~ How is fear affecting my physical body?
~ How is fear affecting my relationships with others?
~ Am I guilty of trusting in myself more than trusting God?
~ How is fear affecting the Body of Christ?
Here's a challenge for you - what do you fear the most? I challenge you to fast from that fear for one week.
Fast from my fears?
Absolutely! You see, fear is an idol - we cater to our fears more than we choose to trust in God, so my challenge to you this week is to CONSCIOUSLY determine to lay your fears down, CHOOSE to not engage in anything that feeds your fear.
When those fears come your way, say these words out loud, "Shut up, devil! I have an all-knowing, all-powerful Abba Daddy and I trust HIM! I no longer believe your lies so get out of here!"
Then, begin (still out loud) telling Jesus how you feel about Him, what He's done for you and why you are choosing to trust at the point of your greatest weakness.
Remember - you were not created to live a life of fear!
For Day 5, read Chapter 5 of All the King's Orphans and Week 5 of the correlating Study Guide.
Start from the beginning:
Day 1 - Intro
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