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“But fear is not from God, and it’s not more powerful than God.”

A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure (p. 42). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Now we all know what fear is like, don’t we?
Christine says, “It lies to us. It shrinks us. It builds dread into our hearts. It tempts us to believe there are no answers. That the unexpected is something to fear. That something is always lurking around the corner.”

She goes on, “But fear is not from God, and it’s not more powerful than God. He knew it would come to steal our peace, not once or twice, but constantly throughout our lives. So, in his great mercy and faithfulness to us, God made a way for us to be more than equipped to overcome its effects and walk in faith. He gave us three offensive weapons to lean into when we’re attacked: ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind’ (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV, emphasis added).”

She says, “This verse clearly shows us that fear is a spirit, but it’s not from God. Every time fear tries to grip us, it’s the enemy trying to take us down and terrify us out of trusting God. But the spirit of fear is no match for the Spirit of God who lives inside us.  God’s Spirit is the source of our power. We can rely on, draw on, and walk in peace in the midst of fear and anxiety because the God who is in us is greater than anything or anyone that comes against us.  The Holy Spirit is who I turned to for strength when the doctor said, ‘Chris, you have cancer.’ He is there for you too, ready to help you, steady you, comfort you, and strengthen you in whatever unexpected challenge you face today.”

She then says, “When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we can take heart, because we are not fighting alone. We fight the good fight of faith in God’s power, not by focusing on fear and trying to defeat it in our own strength, but by relying on God, knowing he is faithful. I came to realize that the more I trust my heavenly Father, the more fear is defeated in my heart and in my mind. If I focus on God more than the unexpected circumstance, then it is God who will be biggest in my heart and mind, and peace will be my outcome. When my doctor called, I could have easily spiraled into a dark pit when I began to think of what could happen to me and to our family, but I quickly focused my mind on God and what he could do. The path God has given us winds upward not downward, but we have to make him bigger to stay on that path mentally, emotionally, and physically.”

What are you facing right now?  Would you seek God’s power and focus your mind on God and what He can do for you?  Would you?

Yes, yes!
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