faith Archives - Simply Gathering Grace

Has fear consumed your life? Does it captivate your every thought and even cause you to live your life based on that fear? I have lived like this, and it’s miserable. You are a prisoner.

Fear is a stronghold that satan uses to paralyze our walk with God, stunt our spiritual growth, and eventually lead us to TRUST our FEAR more than we trust the PROMISES of GOD.

If we don’t trust Him, we can’t possibly have faith in Him. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

No amount of fear will keep a loved one safe, or bring them to the foot of the cross, or keep us from becoming sick or keep us from losing a job.

Fear cripples, faith walks. Fear hides, faith shines. Fear falls, faith stands. Fear gives up, faith takes down. Faith takes down the strongholds in our lives.

The enemy attacks us and uses fear to control our thoughts and actions. Faith is the gift of God to strengthen our thoughts and actions. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

This don’t mean we will never experience fear. But we can’t allow fear to rule our lives. Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Pray, read and study the Word of God. Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Allow the Lord to grow our faith by studying His word and praying. 2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

In Ephesians 6:11-18 We learn about the armor of God and how important it is in our battle against satan. So remember, trust in the Lord, not in your fear!

I was running down the hill with my arms spread wide, the tall grass brushing softly against my arms. I looked toward the sky with my eyes squinted, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face. I didn’t have a care in the world, my little nine year old self was savoring the sweet smell of Autumn. At least I was, until I took one wrong step.

I fell to the ground in a heap, cradling my foot. I had stepped on a nail and it was buried pretty darn deep. My Daddy came running and I knew he was there to help me. My head rolled back, my mouth wide open, my eyes tightly closed so I couldn’t see, I was screaming like a wild child. I trusted him, I knew he was going to take care of me.

My Daddy grabbed the nail and yanked it out of my foot! I was angry that he pulled the nail out, because boy did it hurt! I don’t know what I expected him to do. I knew he could handle the situation. He just didn’t do it the way I wanted him to. But what did I know, I was only a kid. And we both knew I couldn’t walk around with that nail hanging out of my foot like it was a piece of jewelry.

When we pray and seek God, do we really believe He knows best? I told my sister the other day, “I trust God to take care of it, I’m just scared He won’t take care of it the way I want Him to.” Today I said to myself, “Self, who do you think you are!” Of course the Lord knows better than I do how to take care of a situation. He is working things out even as I write this. But do I fully trust Him? Yes I do. Do I think He’ll answer my prayers the way I want Him to? I don’t know. This is where I fall apart, where I need grace. But I do know He is faithful!

1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV God, who has called you into fellowship with His son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

I’m learning to believe that He really does know best. Today let’s confess our areas of weakness and failure to Christ, and rest in His promises. Let’s give Him those areas where we need His grace to cover our failures. He is faithful, His grace is sufficient. He loves us.

Ephesians 1:7 NIV In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Let’s believe God together!

DO YOU TRUST FEAR MORE THAN GOD?

When Trusting God Isn’t Enough