FEAR PARALYSIS YOU. OBEDIENCE AND BOLDNESS SETS YOU FREE

Did you know that Moses doubted his ability? He tried to use his stuttering as a reason why he couldn't be the one God used to help his people.  Well, I have talked and thought myself out of things several times throughout my life. I've used my past, my present, how I was or wasn't parented,  my marriage, my children, my education or lack thereof, my physical appearance, my ailments, my sins, my poor self-image, my need for acceptance, my job/position title or lack thereof, and basically any other believable excuse as my crutch. Then when God began to take away my crutches and showed me that it has been up to me all this time, fear creeps in. What fear do you say? Oh boy, I have a list of them: fear of rejection, fear of using my voice, fear of being misunderstood, fear of failure, fear of lack of not being knowledgeable enough, fear that I didn't hear God correctly and my list goes on and on. But I am at a time in my life where God is calling me out of fear and nervousness and asking me to go.  I would be lying if I told you this is easy. It's not at all. I have to tear down years of negative thoughts and self-sabotaging habits.

Listen to this song about breaking up with fear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0wpP5o7xpI

I begin to think of all the people God used in the bible like Noah, Moses, Joseph, Joshua, Samson, Jonah, Esther, Daniel, David, the 12 disciples, and so many others.   A lot of them were misunderstood and didn't fully understand their value and the impact of what God was calling them to do. They didn't realize that when they were obedient despite fear and not knowing the whole picture that they would be saving and setting their families up for success, for deliverance, for freedom and open-door opportunities.

So now I ask myself why is it so hard for me to see myself being used by God. Why am I being so defiant about doing what he is asking me? Why do I start and then stop? One of the reasons I discovered is because I've been keeping my eye on everything else, but God. I'm looking to see what others are doing. I'm looking at how they don't have to make the same sacrifice as me. I looking at how easy it is for them. This is a door in which I allowed fear to creep in because I am stuck gazing and not doing. I have my eyes on the wrong thing. Now fear has been having a good time showing me my inadequacies. If I keep measuring myself against people, I will never measure up. But if I measure myself against the Word of God, then I am well equipped to handle whatever God is requiring of me. I have to begin to combat those defeating thoughts with the Word of God. I need to stop looking outward for approval and acceptance and start looking within and accepting who I am based on who God says I am and truly believe it.

Listen to this song about no longer being a slave to fear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWCS_2uICjU

Yes, there will be nervousness at first, but I am going to step out and let God use me as he sees fits with my flaws and all. It is the God in me that makes it where I can do all things through Christ.  I have to trust God, be bold, and Go.  I am also thinking about the people who are attached to my obedience. Who have I been holding up because I was gazing in fear and doubt?

How bout you? Are you going? or better yet when are you going to go? Go write that book.  Go teach that course. Go start that business. Go lay hands on the sick. Go pray for someone. Go disciple someone.  Go minister reconciliation. Go dream. Go live. Go give.

I wrote this because I spent so many years of my life waiting to have that perfect look, perfect voice, the perfect time, and the right person to ask me or notice me. I am learning that the window of opportunity is not guaranteed to stay open. I don't want any more missed opportunities. I'm not letting the devil or myself trick me out of my spot anymore. No mas. I'm am determined to finish what God has started. For the race is not given to the swift nor to the wise, but to he who endures to the end. Now that doesn't me for me to be lazy either, but it does mean that I need to keep pressing and moving towards what is before me; stop looking behind me because there is nothing I can do about the past; stop looking beside me because I should not compare or compete with anyone else, but myself.

God, I repent for operating in fear, doubt, and disobedience. Please forgive me for doubting who you say I am and looking to man for acceptance instead of seeking my identity in you. Forgive me for being stagnant and not moving forward. Forgive me for being defiant and basically picking and choosing when I want to obey you. God your word says that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Thank you for continually showing me the things that are not pleasing to you. Help me to see that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Help me to see that it is not in my might, nor in my power that I can do these things, but it is by your Spirit. God as you take me along this journey and feelings or thoughts of being inadequate arises, show me how to lean in and rely on you because your strength is made perfect in my weakness. I thank you that you have not given me the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a very sound mind. I thank you that I do not have to fear what you have planned for me because your plans are to prosper me and not harm me. I thank you, God, that I hear your voice and the voice of limitation, doubt, fear, rejection, and disobedience I choose not to follow. I thank you that what you have already given me is enough for me to act on and as I go you will continue to reveal to me my next move, but God I trust you enough to go. I thank you for the people who have already been strategically assigned along my journey to assist me. I also thank you for the people whose lives will be changed because of my obedience. In Jesus Name, Amen.