It almost sounds like an oxymoron to hear fear has a boundary, especially to those who are overwhelmed by them. But fear can be extinguished given the right information.
Fear is a natural reaction to the unknown. The first example of fear is given in Genesis after the fall of man, “Toward evening, they heard the Lord walking about the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The Lord called to Adam, “Where are you?” He replied, I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”” (Genesis 3:8-10NLT).
Fear, if used properly can save your life, removing you from a dangerous situation, but fear used improperly can rob you of your life. The sin that entered into all of creation brought with it the wrong kind of fear, the kind that breeds shame and confusion. This fear separates us from God, from his healing power to restore and renew our purpose.
John wrote, “Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us.” (1 John 4:18).
John spoke of the godly love we should possess in our lives and reflect to others, but fear will disarm that love. When we live in fear, we become immobile and cannot grow and develop godly character.
The Fear of Failure plagues many of us as well as the Fear of Disappointing God. Both are detrimental to your emotional well-being and your spiritual life. There is only one remedy for the fear of disappointing God, are you ready? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have pleased God! It may sound odd but that is the only thing God the Father asks of you.
If that is true, you might ask, then why are so many suffering from this fear? The suffering continues because they have not understood nor believed this foundational truth. You cannot please God outside of Jesus Christ and to please God you must believe what he said is true otherwise, you are calling him a liar.
Next, let us disarm the Fear of Failure. Have you placed your faith in Jesus’ finished work at the cross? Then you cannot fail! The life and blood that Jesus paid on the cross is the complete atonement for the failures of men. Once you trust in his completed work, you reap the benefits! “Therefore there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Condemnation means: to declare unfit for use, useful for nothing, to be judged, cast off and the like. In Christ Jesus you cannot fail, his blood secures you.
The true meaning of failure is never attempting anything! Those who try and do not accomplish what they set out to achieve have not failed, they simply are continuing to grow. Are you continuing to grow? It takes time to learn how to overcome these fears and many others. No one is immune and we must constantly trust Jesus to lead us in his victory march. Let him show you what he wants from you. Grow in his love and live the life he gave you in complete victory over fear.
Further encouragement read Psalms 34 aloud, may the words encourage your heart and strengthen your faith!
Copyright©2010 tathorpe-All Rights Reserved-
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Boundaries of the Physical
Our eternal God became a man, talk about physical limitations. He surrendered his omnipotence to become a servant, and his omnipresence to seek and save those who are lost. The Bible helps us to understand why our Lord would choose this route, but I don’t think our minds can fully understand all the eternal implications behind this great event.
While Jesus physically walked the earth, he submitted to the same boundaries that we are bound to, whereby he could identify with our weakness and frailty. That should bring comfort to those whose lives are so full with raising a family and caring for the needs of everyone the Lord brings across their path.
The Lord truly knows how it feels to be tired, hungry, pulled,pushed, hassled and not given a moments peace. More than once his ministry took a toll on him and his disciples. (Mark 6:30-34). The scriptures note that Jesus often sought refuge alone to pray. (Mark 6:45-46) If Jesus needed that time of refreshment, we do also.
I have known many dedicated; loving Christians who refuse to take a break, thinking it is a weakness and not a godly attitude to say they are overwhelmed. Sadly, some of those have walked away from serving because of extreme burnout.
I have also known those whose devotion is so strong, and have become so caught up in serving, that they neglect their families. Years down the road, they may lose their most precious from gifts of God, their children. Unfortunately the Bible calls this “walking in the flesh” seeking our own ways of serving God.
Finding balance in ministry is the key to a life filled to overflowing joy the Lord wants us to have. In that balance, we will produce godly fruit and have more of an impact on the world around us. Remember it is “the good things he has planned for us” (Ephesians 2:10), not the things we want to do.
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33 KJV). The Lord knows that the balance of a fulfilling life is dependent on our relationship with him. He wants our lives to be joyful, not a painful pilgrimage.
Copyright©2010 –tathorpe- All Rights Reserved-
While Jesus physically walked the earth, he submitted to the same boundaries that we are bound to, whereby he could identify with our weakness and frailty. That should bring comfort to those whose lives are so full with raising a family and caring for the needs of everyone the Lord brings across their path.
The Lord truly knows how it feels to be tired, hungry, pulled,pushed, hassled and not given a moments peace. More than once his ministry took a toll on him and his disciples. (Mark 6:30-34). The scriptures note that Jesus often sought refuge alone to pray. (Mark 6:45-46) If Jesus needed that time of refreshment, we do also.
I have known many dedicated; loving Christians who refuse to take a break, thinking it is a weakness and not a godly attitude to say they are overwhelmed. Sadly, some of those have walked away from serving because of extreme burnout.
I have also known those whose devotion is so strong, and have become so caught up in serving, that they neglect their families. Years down the road, they may lose their most precious from gifts of God, their children. Unfortunately the Bible calls this “walking in the flesh” seeking our own ways of serving God.
Finding balance in ministry is the key to a life filled to overflowing joy the Lord wants us to have. In that balance, we will produce godly fruit and have more of an impact on the world around us. Remember it is “the good things he has planned for us” (Ephesians 2:10), not the things we want to do.
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33 KJV). The Lord knows that the balance of a fulfilling life is dependent on our relationship with him. He wants our lives to be joyful, not a painful pilgrimage.
Copyright©2010 –tathorpe- All Rights Reserved-
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