Sunday Inspiration: Do Not Be Afraid

I have been having some vivid bad dreams recently.  Not nightmares.  Just sad or disturbing.  I think maybe my subconscious is trying to tell me I am feeling a little insecure or something. Which is probably why this verse spoke to me so strongly this week.  It has long been a favorite if mine, and was my verse a couple of years ago when my word for the year was Fearless.  Sometimes, I just need a reminder.

That Dream You Have. The One That Scares You

That dream you have - the one that scares you.  The one that seems impossible.  Too big.  Too crazy.  Too far out of reach.  That one.

photo: publicdomainpictures.net

That's exactly the one you should pursue.

Because that's probably the important one.  The one God is speaking to you.  Calling you

Maybe that's why it seems so large.  Because it's a God sized dream.

That fear?  Maybe that's a sign you're on the right path.  Fear is the enemy.  Trying to make us doubt ourselves.  To discourage us.  To keep us from following God's plan for us. 

It seems impossible.  But with God all things are possible. 

Push past the fear.  Trust the One who first imagined the dream and passed it to you.  The One who can make it happen.  Step out in faith and obedience.  Pursue the dream.

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Are You Living In Fear?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
 ~ Joshua 1 9

How much of what we do - or don't do - in life in driven by fear?

Fear of discomfort.  Fear of stepping outside our comfort zones.  Fear of not having enough.  Not being enough.  Fear of failure.  Being found lacking in some way.  Fear of disapproval.  Rejection.  Embarrassment.  Of being hurt.  

 

picture - publicdomainpictures.net

Do we let these fears control us?  Distract us?  Dictate to us?  

I timidly raise my hand and truthfully admit that I do.  (Timidly... there's that fear again.  Fear that all of you reading this will judge me for this and find me lacking.)

When I should be allowing only God - His truth, His promises, what He has to say about me and what he wants for me - to guide me and lead me.

Not the fear.

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Three Things: I love to quote

I love quotations.  Seriously...  From Bible verses - to books and movies - and right on to quotes by "famous' people.  I adore a good quote or saying.   I wasn't even sure I could narrow it down to just three to share with you for this post.  Instead of trying to pick three favorites, or figure out what three I quote most often - I decided just to go with the first three that came to mind while I was typing.  This the result

Three Things I Love to Quote

1)  Joshua 1.9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

This is my personal verse for the year.  (as you may recall - My one word is "Fearless") It has gotten me through some very discouraging times in the past 9 months.

2)  Maya Angelou -  "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel"3

3)  

 

 

  

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups
Life of Meg: Monday Mingle
The Chicken Chick: Clever Chicks Blog Hop
A Proverbs 31 Wife: Living Proverbs 31
A Life in Balance: Motivation Monday
The WellSpring: Playdates with God 
Tell Me A Story: True Stories
The Beauty In His Grip: Sharing His Beauty 
Salt & Light: Beautiful Ashes  

Fear and Insecurity

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9

 Is insecurity, fear, and self-doubt its own form of sin?

When we believe we aren't _____ enough for whatever is placed before us to do - we are doubting God's wisdom and His power.

We are essentially saying to Him:

"You are not enough."

"You have made a mistake"

"You are wrong"

"You might let me down"

It's time to let go of the fear.  Let go of the insecurities.  Let go of the self-doubt.

Turn to God's truth when thoughts full of fear and insecurity come creeping in.

He promises that His grace is enough.  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

He promises that He has plans to prosper us.  To give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)

He promises to complete a good work in us (Philippians 1:6)

He promises that He created each of us to do the work He prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10)

He promises that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Take your courage from the Lord.  Trust Him.

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God With Us

God promises again and again - He will always be with us.

He will give us strength and courage.

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; don't be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" ~  Joshua 1:9

He will tell us what to say and help us say it.

"Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." ~ Exodus 4:12

He will teach us.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;  I will counsel you with my loving eye on you" ~ Psalm 32:8

He will provide for us.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:19

He will never leave us.

"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you, I will never leave you or forsake you" ~ Joshua 1:5

He will protect us.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"  ~ Psalm 27: 1

He will always be there.  When friends leave us.  When family can't be nearby.  God is always there.