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We should never allow fear to take root in our hearts. Many times we are
tempted to fear what the future holds; we are tempted to worry about our
finances, our health, our spouse, our children, etc. We lose focus of the
God who created the universe and all that is within it and we look more at
the temporary trial that is before us trying to steal our peace. What we
must remind ourselves is that fear and peace cannot hold the same space.
When we are at peace in God then fear will have no hold over us.
Unfortunately the opposite is also true. When we let go of our confidence
in God and question more any uncertainty of our future, we are in essence
giving the enemy a strong hold over our life because we chose fear instead
of God's overwhelming peace.
No matter what may come your way, I encourage you to stay in peace. Do
not worry, do not fret, do not question or murmur against God, but rather
stay in peace and let God know that you trust Him in every area and in
every circumstance. Show that your eyes are focused on the Great I AM and
know that His perfect peace will envelop you and overtake any fear that
the enemy tried to instill within your heart. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares “For
God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of
a sound mind.” Keep a sound mind and with your words declare your utmost
confidence that all will be well with your soul. The Lord hears our
declarations of victory and He will be faithful to bring them to pass.
Rest in His promises and stay in His peace.
I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to rest in God's
perfect peace whenever you are tempted to worry or fear what your future holds.
A MONSTER TO HUG
One couple spent a holiday driving in the mountains. “Every time you race
around one of those narrow curves,” exclaimed the wife, “I just get terrified.”
“Then do what I do,” suggested her husband. “Close your eyes!”
We are all afraid at times, but closing our eyes may not be the best way
through fear. I've found it better to open my eyes and try to experience
those fears.
You've heard of facing your fears; how about embracing them?
I think one man's experience with fear can help.
In 1972 David Miln Smith had such an opportunity. Smith, an adventurer,
author and professional speaker, decided to spend a night alone in the
famous St. Michael's Cave on the island of Gibraltar as a test of courage.
In his book Hug That Monster, he tells of hearing strange sounds all
around him as he lay there in the pitch-black, damp, deserted cave. Most
frightening was the fact that he came to believe he was not alone!
Fear became panic and he was afraid he was losing his mind. Then suddenly,
as he was approaching his psychological breaking point, Smith thought to
himself, “Whatever the monster looks like, I will hug it.” That simple,
almost silly thought brought great relief to his restless mind. He soon
fell into a deep and peaceful sleep until morning. He learned that
embracing his fear, literally or figuratively, allowed him to subdue it.
We each have our nights of fear, don't we? We all encounter monsters of
some sort. We may fear spiders or insects, heights or crowds, abandonment
or loneliness, the future or death. And most of us are occasionally visited
by shadows of these monsters in the dark of night.
The next time you're afraid, try “hugging the monster.” Face it and embrace
it. It's hard to feel afraid of something you're hugging! And you just
might be surprised at how quickly it slips away and at how confident you
begin to feel.
That beautiful spirit Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage,
and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the
face.” But after looking it in the face, how about embracing it? Just
imagine yourself putting your arms around whatever is keeping you awake in
the night. Make it your friend. because it is! Whatever you fear, once
faced and embraced, will actually make you a better person.
Now, do you have a monster to hug?
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless
His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who
redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy
youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Psalm 34:1-5 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto Him, and were lightened:
and their faces were not ashamed.”
Psalm 37:3-6 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the
land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and
He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the
LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring
forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for
in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”
2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall
be with you.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: GOD IS FAITHFUL
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony118.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
