Fear is a force which will hold you hostage. It will rob you from fulfilling your dreams and reaching your destiny.
I think, for instance, of the story of the disciples in a boat when a storm arose. Jesus was not with them. (Matthew 14:22, 23). They were overwhelmed by fear. What do you do when the "waves of life" overwhelm you? The aim is NOT to focus on the bad situation.
Your "boat" will float as long as the situation on the outside doesn't get on the inside of you. People who survive the fiercest storms in life are those who refuse to let fear in. They stay water-tight until God arrives to calm the storm.
A fearful heart can put holes in the boat of your lives and keep you from reaching your potential and experiencing God's blessings. Look at your conversation, speech, thought and attitudes. They reveal whether you are going through or going down.
Luke 6:45 says: "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
The abundance of your heart is either keeping the water out of the boat of life or letting water in.
Watch out for "bad news bearers." They are the naysayers. Some of them use sweet honeycombed words of discouragement in the guise of concern.
Instead, "waterproof" your boat. Fortify your heart with the Word of God. Take back your life by rebuking fear and speaking peace over your past and present.
The Bible says: "Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it (death or life) will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21).
Your words have power and life more than any circumstances you face.
The Word of God is your security. It is proof of who you are in Christ and whose you are. You belong to God. You can defeat fear in your storms of life. Don't be shackled with the thought: "What if God doesn't show up?"
Don't allow fear to keep you stuck between the storm and the solution. Feed your courage by risking everything, by putting all your trust on Jesus because He always shows up. He did for the disciples and He'll show up for you!
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Editor's note: The Rev. Dr. Scott Stewart is the pastor of Pea Ridge United Methodist Church and Brightwater Methodist Church. The opinions expressed are those of the writer. He can be contacted at [email protected] or 479-659-9519.
Religion on 07/03/2019