We live in a
world where many people allow themselves to be limited by their fears of hurt,
disappointment, or criticism. I was recently visiting with a woman, whose 25
year old daughter committed suicide four moths ago. She struggled with various
concerns and chaotic issues of living and doing life. She left behind two young
children. The mother of this young mom is devastated. She is broken and dealing
with an array of all kinds thoughts and feelings. I spent a considerable time to
listen to her and pray with her. She is dealing with intense pain and fear.
I have been reading
from Psalm 34. Many times we have to obey before we can feel delivered from our
fears. David praised God and then experienced release from His fears. In Psalm
34 we are invited to extol the Lord at all times and, with our praise of His
attributes, we are lifted up above our fears. The Psalmist wrote, "I will extol
the Lord at all times, his praise will always be on my lips." Praise helps us
gain a new perspective. Praise of God’s Lordship over all aspects of life help
us see that He is sovereign and His omnipotence is greater than any problem.
When we are focused on Jesus as the one who overcomes the world, we are given
increased sense of His empowerment, enabling, and courage. Jesus said, "BE of
good cheer, for I have overcome the world." Praise God for His resurrection
power that gives you the power, love and self-discipline to cast all of your
anxieties upon the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let you
down.
The Psalmist wrote, "I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears." (Psalm 34:4) Whenever we feel afraid we can trust Him to provide whatever we need. He makes us adequate with His adequacy. He provides us with courage when we are feeling timid. He gives us the confidence to speak with articulate wisdom when we are unsure of what to say. He helps us face our obstacles with the assurance that we can do everything God asks us to do with the help of Christ who gives us the strength and power. (Phil. 4:13 - Living)
The Psalmist wrote, "I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all of my fears." (Psalm 34:4) Whenever we feel afraid we can trust Him to provide whatever we need. He makes us adequate with His adequacy. He provides us with courage when we are feeling timid. He gives us the confidence to speak with articulate wisdom when we are unsure of what to say. He helps us face our obstacles with the assurance that we can do everything God asks us to do with the help of Christ who gives us the strength and power. (Phil. 4:13 - Living)
Let us not try to
deliver ourselves with our own power, intelligence, or personality. The arm of
flesh will always fail. Paul wrote, "I did not come to you with superiority of
speech, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power so your faith should not
rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God."
Whenever John Wesley felt afraid he would just pause to pray and praise God for the fact that He was still on the throne of heaven ruling all things well. Wesley wrote, "I have never known more than fifteen minutes of anxiety or fear. Whenever, I feel fearful emotions overtaking me I just close my eyes and thank God that he is still on the throne reigning over everything and I take comfort in His control over all the affairs of my life.
Whenever John Wesley felt afraid he would just pause to pray and praise God for the fact that He was still on the throne of heaven ruling all things well. Wesley wrote, "I have never known more than fifteen minutes of anxiety or fear. Whenever, I feel fearful emotions overtaking me I just close my eyes and thank God that he is still on the throne reigning over everything and I take comfort in His control over all the affairs of my life.
In
Christ,
Brown
