Originally published Tuesday, 14 April 2015.
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
If you think about it, fear starts in the mind. It’s the “what if” or “I don’t know what I would do if” factor. Of course there are many more starter factors depending on what you’re dealing with, but hopefully you’re catching the point. A lot of it starts in the mind. However, sometimes it can begin to take shape in your life after you’ve experienced a particular incident that scared you. When that happens, it has the potential to start a fierce battle in your mind and become a stronghold in your life! And we don’t want to live like that, so let’s talk about overcoming fear one thought at a time.
The Scripture that comes to mind right now is 2 Timothy 1:7 which says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” For starters, God has not given us the spirit of fear. So right off top, we see that if it doesn’t come from God, then it has to come from our great enemy Satan. God wants us to walk in faith, not fear. Fear paralyzes us. Faith propels us!
With that being said, we have to begin to walk in the power that God has given us, while also walking in love at the same time. Meaning, we can’t be afraid to step out to help someone who needs to hear the gospel (witnessing or teaching). We have to go forth boldly in faith to share what we have with others. And we can’t back up on the Holy Spirit’s toes when He tells us to speak the hard truth to people. We have to forget about our own lives to be able to save someone else’s. But if we let fear paralyze us, then we’re no help to anyone.
The last part to that verse is that He has given us a sound mind. Now, here’s the key point for today’s post. The Webster’s Dictionary defines “sound” as normal, healthy, stable, and firm. We have to take a firm position on overcoming the spirit of fear. And our power is the word of God. In order to get over this, we have to use the word when fear comes in to cripple us or overtake our minds. We have to decide that we are going to speak and believe what the Scripture says over the fear and seek God for a peace of mind. The Bible tells us what God will do for us, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” I would know about this.
On a personal and transparent note, within the past couple of months, I’ve been in a lot of pelvic pain. So I knew that I needed to get it checked out. Well, when the doctor had to schedule a biopsy for me to see if I had endometrial cancer, fear began to raise its ugly head AGAIN. Remember, it’s one incident and one THOUGHT at a time.
So as you could imagine, thoughts began to run rapid in my head. I thought about the test. Would it hurt? What if the test came back positive? What would I need to tell my kids? How would I respond to the results? Am I ready to meet my Almighty Father? All kinds of thoughts ran through my mind. BUT…I had to arrest them! I had to STOP thinking about all of that or it would become a stronghold in my life.
Second Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” God got my attention and pulled down that stronghold and reminded me through His Spirit to cast down those thoughts and to trust Him. Through prayer and releasing my fearful thoughts through the power of Jesus Christ, I was able to answer the Dr.’s phone call with peace. I was ready for whatever the outcome would be.
My results were NEGATIVE! Thank God for this GOOD Report. However, if it were positive, then I strongly believe that the Lord would have given me the necessary strength to endure it. So if someone is reading this post and has received a positive result, know that God is with you and He will be your strength. Believe that! Don’t let fear get in the way of your faith, no matter what it is. God says through Isaiah 41:10, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” And this is for anyone going through a tough, scary situation in your life. Just know that God has a plan for it all and it's going to work out for your good in the end. (See Romans 8:28)
As I prepare to close this post, know that God is with you. No matter what situation you find yourself in, He is there. I still have to face a very serious surgery in two weeks (Tuesday, April 28, 2015 to be exact). I have what the doctors call Adenomyosis (it’s like Endometriosis), which is very painful, and the only way to cure it is through a hysterectomy. So, I have to have a hysterectomy. I’m not too fond of having to undergo surgery, and fear has raised its ugly head AGAIN, especially at night when the busyness of the day has ceased. However, when fearful thoughts come, I begin casting them down with the word of God. And of course, my husband prays for me when it’s strong.
So speak the word when fear arises. Memorize certain verses that you feel will help you overcome fearful thoughts. And believe it! It’s time to overcome fear one THOUGHT at a time. We can do it sis, because we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ! Amen!
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s be ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
I recommend this book this week, “What Are You Afraid Of? Facing Down Your Fears with Faith” By Dr. David Jeremiah. Awesome book and study guide! Grab it today! Love you sis!
*Again, thanks for reading this post! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened. If you have any questions or comments, leave it here or email me at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com. And if this post and ministry has blessed your life in any way, please consider making a donation of any amount today to help me further the gospel here @ http://www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org/. Thanks in advance!
*And don’t forget to tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts, “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye), and follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/InOutwCourtnaye. Also, share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
SHARE
