It’s 
amazing how we have read and heard so many sermons on Fear and yet we still find ourselves enslaved by Fear one way or the other. Regardless of its crippling effect on our lives, we seem to be held back by it. This week’s Devotional Study is on FEAR – Recognizing it. Facing it Head on, Overcoming it and living a Victorious Life.
As I write on this topic I want you to know that I am not immune to the attacks of fear. I get afraid too. Sometimes fall into its trap. But through God’s grace I’ve learned to face my fears head on and Trust God to do the rest for me as I continue to stay obedient to Him.
My personal battles with fear
Every time I have to preach somewhere , Fear attacks me. Especially, the week before I am supposed to speak, I get all these fear thoughts attacking my mind as to why I shouldn’t speak. Thoughts like “You aren’t qualified to preach?” “No one will listen” “You going to make a fool out of yourself’ “How do you know you speaking the word in season” “What if no one comes”… all these thoughts of fear attack me every time. There are times I’ve curved into fear and told my pastor I can’t preach anymore. lol. But I’ve learned to face my fears. If it means to preach while afraid, I just do it anyway. Because in the end God is the one who speaks not me and its all about Him not me – So if He needs me to speak or share something – I’ve learned to do it regardless of how I feel.
Let’s begin…
So, yesterday I was reading from the book of 1 Kings 19, and vs. 3 caught my attention. It read “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life” upon hearing that Jezebel was going to kill him. Isn’t it amazing what fear can do to one? Elijah a prophet of God, mightily used by God found himself on the run for his life out of fear of what one woman would do to him. Never mind all the victories God had given him – never mind all the prophets of Baal that he had killed through the power of God working in Him. Oh never mind God on his side who responded to his prayer for rain during the 3rd year of a severe drought. All Elijah saw was his death, all he heard was tomorrow you shall die,which led to him to be on the run for his life. Ah excuse me Elijah. Hold up! What about consulting GOD before just getting up and running…Sir Elijah What is going on?
Fear has that effect on people even those used by God.If entertained fear will distort your picture of life and whats happening around you-it may even cause you to make abrupt decisions which maybe life changing and not necessarily good for you. Although Elijah was an anointed prophet of God – He fell in to the pit of FEAR and it got the best of him – such that He forgot all that God had done for Him (Fear undermines your capacity to think clearly) , he lost sight of the mission/mandate that God had asked of him (Fear kills Vision) He fled for his life (Fear will take you on a detour).
If not dealt with or confronted – Fear will kill your Vision, Undermine your Thinking & take you on a Detour
When we allow fear to have its toil on us It will paralyze our ability to hear God, think straight, or move forward. What you fear will become your reality if you do not face it head on and overcome it. Fear creates a false reality that robs us off today’s blessings and victories. Take a brief moment to look at your life right now – are there any missed opportunities, missed blessings because you aborted your mission, vision or dream? How many dreams, aspirations, ambitions, visions have you fled from because of Fear.
As you read further in 1 Kings 19 vs 10 & 13 – you read “And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Twice God asked Elijah the same questions – WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? God knew what Elijah was doing there – but wanted Elijah to realize his foolery – as to why he was Running away.
Sometimes there are things that we are running away from because of FEAR.And God is asking us the same question He asked Elijah today- What are you doing here? Did I tell you to run away? Did I command you abort mission? Did I confirm that Jezebel (your situation) will kill you ? – So why are you running away? Why are you giving up before you’ve even started?
I would like to believe that God is perplexed when He sees us as His sons and daughters running away from what He has called us to RUN TO or RUN THROUGH; When He sees us aborting dreams because they appear too BIG to come to pass; When He see us diverting to an easier course of life because we are just to scared of what could possibly happen to us – He is hurt.
Maybe you are that person that walked away on a Job, a relationship, a business opportunity, a dream not because God told you to, but simply because of FEAR; Or maybe you just about to walk away from something really beautiful because of FEAR? If God hasn’t spoken – don’t flee. Wait, Consult God, Hear what you need to do and follow through.
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1 :7
THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT FEAR
Fear will disqualify you before you’ve even began
Fear will tell you all the things you don’t have to make it
Fear will make you major on the minor (Shift your focus on whats truly important)
Fear will hinder you from advancing
Fear will cause to walk away even when you had everything in you to face your GIANT
Fear will tell you how many people who have tried and failed – so what makes you any Different
Fear will kill the LIFE out of you – IF YOU ALLOW IT.
Fear is NOT from God – SO Don’t give it a foothold in your life
Don’t settle for less because of fear. You were made for greatness – Embrace you authenticity, Embrace the greatness on the inside of you. Do not fear – Do not Flee – Stay put and watch God step in and fight for you.
Today, let your Faith fight and defeat your Fear.
Let your Faith lead you in to a Victorious Life.
MAY YOUR FAITH TRAMPLE OVER ALL YOUR FEARS TODAY
MAY GOD GRANT YOU THE GRACE AND STRENGTH TO FACE YOUR FEARS HEAD ON
MAY GOD GIVE YOU VICTORY IN ALL AREAS FEAR HAD TAKEN ROOT IN YOUR LIFE
MAY GOD TURN YOUR FEAR TO FAITH
IN JESUS NAME
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE ISAIAH 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
God Bless and Stay Encouraged 🙂
–Lady Rue J. aka Ruvimbo Judith
“Let Your Light Shine”
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Thank you and be Blessed.
LRJ 