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I saw a post online today that said, “Focus on Jesus, not the storm” ~Matthew 14:22-23
What an incredible way to boil down that story to the main point. Peter walks on water when he looks at Christ. When he looks at the circumstances around him, he begins to sink.
If you keep reading, you see Matthew 14:27, 30-32
At once, Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” But when he {Peter} saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
While not a commandment ,we are instructed directly by God to pray and don’t worry, have faith and don’t doubt, and be not afraid. So when we worry, fear, and doubt, we are directly disobeying God.
Jesus didn’t suggest that we take some deep breaths because we would probably feel better. He didn’t say, hey have you tried not thinking about it?
Jesus commanded us to not be afraid, and He always offered an alternative. Pray and don’t worry (that’s actually a quote by Padre Pio, as my hubby pointed out). Look at Philippians 4:6-7
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will quart your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Now look at Joshua 1:9
I command you: be strong and steadfast. Do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the Lord who goes before you: He will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control.
In times we feel out of control and afraid, we are acting outside of the spirit God gave us. Sometimes I do feel afraid. I often feel uncertain. Good thing we don’t live our lives driven by our feelings, but by God’s Truth.
When I feel afraid and struggle to believe the truth, or feel like it somehow doesn’t apply to me, I need to speak it. Just speak out the Truth.
Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee. In God, whose word I praise , in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me?
Isaiah 41:10
Fear nor, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Trust, faith, and love are actions, not emotions - CUE MUSIC “Love Is A Verb”
When I feel afraid, I don’t even need to argue with the devil about it. I just make an act of faith.
God you are good and your word is true. You promise to never leave or forsake me. You promise to fight for me. You promise to go before me and make my paths straight. I believe you, and I believe in you. You give me a spirit of power and love and self-control. I claim that spirit now.
Whenever you feel afraid, claim the spirit of power and self-control. The evil one deals in fear and doubt and those feelings are deep-seated.
Maybe that’s why God didn’t just tell us His truth once. He knew we’d often struggle with doubt, so he gave us many statements of truth to combat those lies in our head.
We do not have to come up with the answers. God has left us his word and tells us. All we need to do is love Him and abide in Him.
I will think of everything. You think only of loving me. ~Jesus~
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