Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Faith > fear

Fear is inevitable in life. It is something that is embedded in us since the day we come out of the womb and they vaccinate us against all of the diseases we become susceptible to. 

But there are two types of fear. There is the good fear in which helps us in situations where we may be in danger. 

And then there's the bad fear. 

The bad fear is the one that becomes an obstacle in life. It paralyzes us from moving forward and actually doing anything. It stops us from becoming who we are meant to be.

But did you know that God never gave us a spirit of fear?

In 2 Timothy 1:7 it states, For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but one of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

So where does this bad fear come from? Why does it become so powerful that in a way it could almost consume us and stop us from moving?

In order to stop anything and to overcome it, you need to know the source of it.

From the day we are born, satan plans to invade our lives in any way he can. If he can find one weak spot... he'll invade. 

Just like soldiers fully cover themselves in armor to make sure they will be safe against enemy attacks... we need to shield ourselves as well. 

One thing that determines our victory is what ground we stand on. Just like a house that is built on sand can easily collapse when the storm comes... a house that is built on firm ground will not. 

That firm foundation is Jesus. Wherever we walk or stand... when Jesus is our foundation, we are already on victory ground.   

As terrible as it is, fear can make us worry so much... that we can become unusable to God.

Fear can really damage us. 

I wrote this quote down from a recent bible study:

How we stand, determines how we fight.  

I've been fighting this fear all of my life, and I know I'm not the only one.

Don't let fear win. Just don't. The enemy wants to tear us down, and creep in us anyway possible. 

I'll let you in on something if you didn't know: Satan fears us! Odd right? 

He does because he knows that the day we stomp down fear, we are capable of the unimaginable amazing things God has planned for us. 

Take a stand and fight. Don't let him win, don't let fear win. You are already on victory ground with Christ... you just need to believe it. 

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up their wings like eagles, they shall not run and grow weary, they shall walk and not faint. // Isaiah 40:31

Friday, March 11, 2016

When The Stars Don't Align

There is a common phrase that is usually said when things go well, or finally come together. 

The stars finally aligned. 

And I started to think... well how about if they never do "finally align"? 

I was listening to a sermon on the radio the other day and the topic was on Meekness. Being a meek person is having the right view of yourself and staying humble, but most importantly having a teachable spirit. 

Jesus himself was the Son of God, but he came down here to us and made himself less. He knew he was a king and had all of the potential to do whatever he pleased... and yet he allowed people to treat Him less. 

I mean Jesus lived an ordinary life, wasn't rich and basically He didn't start His ministry and purpose until He was around 30. And on top of that, He died a brutal unjust death for all of us who weren't just at all. 

Wow.

Talk about having a meek character and being submissive to His Father's purpose for his life. 

I think that's one of the things I love most about Jesus. It was that He knew who He was... and yet stayed humble.

We all have these wild dreams and plans for ourselves, any yet sometimes things don't really fall through.

I've been in a rut the past few years to be honest. When is my life going to "start"? I constantly ask God this question. I ask Him why and when things will magically kick into gear and boom! My life is what I envisioned. 

But God silently waited for me to stop my huffing and puffing. So I started to listen. 

Through tears and books and songs and sermons and looking for God in the most unlikely places... I am finally coming to understand. 

That maybe it's not about what we do or where we are in life. Maybe God is more interested in who we are becoming through what we are doing. 

Maybe He allows us to go through the mud, so when we come out of it... our character is refined.  

One thing that has grown me immensely is... uncertainty. 

Being uncertain about which path to take allowed me to finally let go and I opened up my hands and lifted them up to God and said "I'm yours... please make me into what you have planned for me."

If the stars never do align... let go. Let go of what you had planned, your fears, and your pride. Let go and give it all to God. 

I promise you, you are in for a wild ride so buckle up your seat belt. The purpose He has for you will be far more amazing than anything you ever dreamed you could do on your own.