Overcoming Your Fear...

Greetings, blogland Framily!  This is a special week, it is the first week of my favorite month of the year - May.  And just why is that?  It's because I'm a May baby and to me, May is the most wonderful time of the year!!!  

Also, I'm playing a little bit of catch up since I have been slacking on my posts.  And I really need your prayers on that; well, on my time and balance in general.  I've really been struggling in that area since beginning this new project back in March and I'm trying to get it all figured out... I feel a bit overwhelmed, if I am to be totally honest here.  I am also struggling a bit in the area of control - the fact that I don't have it, to be exact.  There are many pieces moving in all facets of my life, including with the not so little people, and there isn't anything I can do about it.  And for a person like me who generally likes to be in control of things, with no surprises, this is almost too much to handle!  One might think I'd be starting to get used to it, since it's been happening for the better part of 3 years now, but, NOPE!  So that being said, I'm going to try and play some catch up this week... keep praying for me!!!

The icing on the cupcake for all of my "overwhelm" is my tremendous fear of the unknown (I have written about this before, when I was talking about change, you can read it here).  It can be crippling at times and it's is a constant battle for me.  Real talk; I hope you all don't mind my real talk.  

Anyway, a few weeks ago (April 10th, to be exact), Pastor Singleton preached a sermon titled "Why you must overcome your fears."  As usual, it spoke to me and things I am dealing with in my life right now, and I thought it would be good to share with you all in case I'm not alone... So that being said, let's go! *Note that this summation is taken from my notes during the sermon*

The text contains a familiar passage of scripture:

2 Timothy 1:1-7New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thanksgiving

3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

   
The text of 2 Timothy is Paul's final letter before his execution, and was written to encourage his spiritual son, Timothy.  Timothy's life had been sanctified through that of his mother Eunice and grandmother, Lois; see 1 Corinthians 7:14 for reference to this.  Paul mentored Timothy and made him a leader; see 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (guard what has been given to you when the gospel baton is passed).  In tying that message in to our lives today, our mission is not complete until we pass the gospel baton of faith to the next generation.  Paul knew Timothy well:

• he knew that Timothy's fire was burning low (2 Timothy 1:6);
• he reminded Timothy of his ordinations (keep the bellows pumping when you get down by studying and living a consecrated life);
• Timothy was physically challenged (1 Timothy 5:23);
• Timothy was naturally fearful (1 Corinthians 16:10)

Fear can keep you from what God has for you (2 Timothy 1:7); fear is caused by the presence of danger, anxiety and a lack of trust, but it can be overcome.  Note that fear arising lack of trust in God or faith is irrational.  Titus 1:1-2 references our hope of eternal life which is God's promise.  It is incongruous not to believe in God's individual promises and yet believe in eternal life.  Let's make it personal:  you must believe in the promises of God to YOU!  Excessive fear can keep you from exercising your faith - which hurts God; it says that we don't trust Him when we're in a panic all the time...

Numbers 13:27-28 shows how Israel saw God's promises fulfilled regarding the Promised Land, but they got scared when they saw the giants in the land.  They did not understand that the giants were there to test their faith - every promise and deliverance of God comes with obstacles so that your faith can be tested.  The Israelites displayed a human response to their fear in Numbers 14:1-4:  they grumbled about going back to the known where it was comfortable.  They chose the comfort of the known over their fear of the unknown (which we all do sometimes, even when we know that what we're going back to is bad for us - just chew on that for a moment).  Then Pastor Singleton said something that shut me down:  it means that we don't trust God enough to go forward... OUCH!

The lesson:  we must overcome our fears!  Not trusting in God will always set you back - and note this from Joshua 14:10-13:  when God makes you a promise, you won't die until it's fulfilled (Caleb said to God, "give me what you promised and he went into battle at 85 years old and made it to the promised land).  We have to learn to stand on the promises of God for our lives.  He is our life vest; as long as we hold onto Him, we will not drown!  Going backwards loses your praise report and your testimony.  In order to overcome fear, he has given us: (1) power, (2) love, and (3) self-discipline.  Here's the perfect time to insert a video:  Stir Up The Gift by Colorado Mass Choir:  

Now, wasn't that an awesome sermon????  So as always, time for some real life application, right?  And when I say that, I'm speaking to myself here.  Each and every message that I will share to you this week has touched me personally for where I am in this season of my life. Remember a little while ago I said that I felt like I was on the brink of something major even though I didn't know what it was at that time? Well, it's here!!! I'm not going to go into too much detail at this time, but there was this idea that I had 11 years ago, and I was disappointed then that it didn't come to pass, but what I've learned is that it wasn't the right season.  During the move, I stumbled across those notes from way back in 2005 (didn't even know I still had them; sidenote, did I tell you that every time I get an idea about something, I start a new notebook for it?  It helps to keep my thoughts together on a particular topic and keeps everything in one place until it is time for me to pick it up again). Well, guess what?  Now it's time.  And guess what else?  As excited as I am about it, I am also a little fearful and the "what ifs" keep popping into my mind.  Now what's that all about? It's about my fear of being hopeful for good things.  But you know what?  I'm gonna slay that demon - because I'm not here for it!

In all seriousness though, this is an area in my life that I am really being confronted with in this season.  And I do believe that all of my security blankets have been ripped from my hands and put all my fears on the table so that I have to either have faith and trust, or not. Those are really the only two options at the end of the day, right?  And my future, honestly, depends on it.  

So to anyone else out there who is also dealing with fear in an area of their lives, remember that God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (self-discipline)!  Thank you framily for keeping me on point!  Holla @ Darvi if you want to share your leg in this faith journey and how fear is trying to distract you or if you just want to show some love!  Be Blessed!!! xoxoxo