Fear is not your friend

Dove hunting 2017 with Rob and Mallory and my grands!

Fear is not your friend

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

copyright 2017

Walking through my neighborhood this week, I noticed decorations for Halloween at various home. At one home, there were all these scary looking creatures. I began to think of how God wants us to be filled with faith and confidence, not fear as we walk through this world. 

     Fear is defined as: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat. The feeling of anxiety about the outcome of something or the safety and well being of someone.  

    One thing is for sure, fear is tormenting. Fear is a thief and a robber of peace, joy and tranquility. I speak from experience and am thankful God has set me free from           various fears and the bondage fear brings.

       There are many different kinds of fear. A few that I have struggled with in the past were a fear of death, fear of germs, fear of failure, and fear of the dark. I have found that many people struggle with the same fears that held me captive for years. I was good at justifying my fear, telling my self that one could never be too cautious. 

     One day I heard the words, “Fear is doubt  and unbelief and doubt and unbelief is not trusting God - that is sin.” At that moment, I knew I could no longer justify my fears. Whenever I was afraid, I began to acknowledge them as sin. God graciously began to set me free as I was faithful to repent and resist the temptation to walk in fear. Repentance is always our friend and is found on the path to freedom. 

     II Timothy 1:7 states, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” We can conclude from this passage that fear is a spirit and it is not from God; therefore, it is not our friend. There are times when I have simply said the words, “Fear go, you are not my friend.” As long as we coddle our fears, they will hang around. We must deal ruthlessly with them if we want to  get free. 

Newest addition to our family! Grant Maxwell

     I love Isaiah 41:10 which says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Many times I have pictured myself holding God’s hand and that gives me great courage. Dismayed means feelings of anxiety and consternation, usually by something unexpected. Have you ever had something unexpected happen? I have. 

     Proverbs 3:25 tells us, “Be not afraid of sudden fear....” Satan loves to make us feel scared because then we are intimidated. Intimidation has one goal; to scare us from even engaging in the battle. Goliath used intimidation on David but David did not bow to fear. He quickly strengthened himself by remembering how God helped him slay a bear and a lion. I love David’s faith in response to intimidation. He told the bellowing giant he would strike him down, cut off his head and give his carcasses to the birds! 

Now those are some faith filled words!

     Prior to a personal relationship with God I was terrified of dying. I had trouble sleeping at night for fear I might die. Once I accepted Jesus into my heart and repented of the fear, I was no longer afraid of dying. Knowing God personally, is the beginning of overcoming fear. Tell God you want a personal relationship with him. He will be delighted!

     The US Navy has a slogan that I think is a motto against any fears. “Life liberty and the pursuit of all who threaten it.” God wants us to enjoy life, our freedom and get rid of any fear that would threaten us. Fear is an enemy, not our friend. Do not let fear rob you anymore. There is power in your words, so tell fear to go.

     Freedom is waiting...what are you afraid of?

Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, educator, writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God and their value. You can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com and on her blog www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com

Living above the clouds of life

Living above the clouds of life

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

Copyright

September 2017

You and I are called and equipped to live a  supernatural lifestyle. I have discovered the supernatural life I am to lead as I have faced difficult circumstances, trials, conflict, misunderstanding, disappointments and being determined to discover what God is up to in those situations.

How about you? Have you encountered any of the above mentioned things lately? How did you handle them? Did you waste the opportunity to grow?

The meaning of the word supernatural means, “above our circumstances, above natural or to exist above and beyond nature”.

We have a God given right to rise above our circumstances and paint a picture above the clouds or storms of life.

I was recently flying to Hawaii and as we took off and headed west, the city below me began to pale. It looked totally different  from a higher perspective.

Not long into the flight, a storm arose and the captain came over the speaker, telling us were were around and above the storm. Suddenly, a beautiful sunset appeared with brilliant colors as we rose above the clouds.

Jesus rose above the storm in Matthew 14 and called Peter, an average guy, to do something that seamed impossible, to walk on water.

What are you facing right now that seems impossible? Perhaps it is staying with in a difficult marriage. Maybe it is dealing with a difficult coworker. It could be letting go of a love one or dealing with an unexpected diagnoses.

I know at times in my life, I have said to myself or someone else, “I just can’t do this.” The truth is, I can not,  but when there is a greater dependency on God, I can.

The key to a supernatural life is dependency on God.

I was talking to someone the other day, and the woman made the comment that she was so stressed out. I have had my share of stressful situations and life will be stressful, if we live in our circumstances, instead of the provisions God has for us.  

God sent Jesus so we can find joy in life no matter what is thrown at us. We cannot control  all our circumstances. Some come very unexpected.  We do not get any say  many of life’s trials. However, we do have a choice in how we will respond. We can either react or respond.

The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:10 says, “On earth as it is in heaven.” (NIV) There is no stress in heaven, therefore, when we walk to the rhythm of thanking him, praying and then casting our cares on him, we learn to live life above the cloud of our perceived negative circumstances. We live a supernatural life.

I John 4:17 says, “ ...as he is, so are we in this world.” (NIV) Jesus is full of life and peace and we have the opportunity to practice abundant life and peace anytime we choose to.

There are plenty of people that lead stressed out lives. You and I do not have to be one of them.

I want to be someone that is known for living a life of joy and peace. Jesus paid a great price for me to do that. I owe it to him to be responsible for my own development in not letting negative circumstances steal my joy and peace.

This means I have to discipline myself to step back and live from the inside out, live from Christ in me. What about you?

Do you need to discipline yourself a little more? Do you live in your circumstances preoccupied with the problem or step back into Christ in you and walk in peace?

You and I are called to reveal to those around us who God really is. We are are not called to lead normal lives, but supernatural lives. Responding out of Christ in us is so much better than reacting to negative circumstances. God’s promises found in the Bible, and putting our confidence in the God who made heaven and earth,  will  lift us above the clouds of life.

Will you join me in painting a beautiful picture above the clouds of your life and living the supernatural life available to you?

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