We live in a day where things seem so uncertain. The economic elements rage, relationships are strained, and we wonder how we’re supposed to embrace hope when fear seems to be a more realistic emotion. I’ve recently come through a pretty tough battle of my own. I won’t say that I’m all the way to the other side, but I definitely have my feet under me once again. Praise God.

I’ve brushed myself off, straightened my shirt, and combed down my jacked hair. Now that I have my wits about me again, I can clearly identify three perspectives that gave the enemy permission and access to stir up my fears to the point where they eclipsed my faith. Perhaps they’ll resonate with you as well.

Perspective #1 – Remembering Our Fears
The enemy knows all about our past fears. He knows what parts of those memories still serve as triggers for us today. All he has to do is to get us stirred up with a present reality that connects us to a past fear and he can spin us around so we won’t know which way is up.

The answer?

Remembering God’s Faithfulness:
We remember and recall the many ways God has already come through for us. We pause to reflect on the countless times we worried for nothing because God held us close. We declare that God has been faithful and He’ll be faithful again!

Psalm 143:5 ~ I remember the days long ago. I think about all You have done. I think about the work of Your hands.

Perspective #2 – Seeing Our Circumstances:
The enemy wants us to fixate on our earthly circumstances to the point that we lose sight of our heavenly Father. He wants us so situation-aware that we forget that we have access to heaven. Of course we need to acknowledge our circumstances. But when we lock down our gaze on the things that worry us and stir up our fears, and we do so without considering the power and the promise of God to save and intervene, we give the enemy paved access to overtake our perspective. His goal is to convince us that we are at the mercy of our circumstances. Thank the Lord, we are not.

The answer?

Seeing God AMIDST Our Circumstances:
If we look for Him, He will be found by us! May the eyes of our heart open up so we can know the depths of His love, the riches of our inheritance, and the power available to us right here and right now. No circumstance can diminish who we are and what we possess. No scenario is beyond God’s ability to redeem. May we see cavalry mounting on our behalf. May we see that God in our midst is mighty to save!

 Psalm 27:13-14 ~ I remain confident of this: I will SEE the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord. Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Perspective #3 – Envisioning Our Worst Case Scenario:
This is exactly where we’ll land if we embrace the first two perspectives. When we mull over past fears and stare long at present circumstances, the natural outcome will be to envision our worst case scenarios. What then? We step into the enemy’s trap, we get turned upside down, the blood goes to our head, and then our emotions rule the day. And, we lose sight of God and miss a perfectly good opportunity to please Him with our feisty faith.

The answer?

Envisioning Our Future With Hope:
Scripture tells us that God causes all things to work together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). His plan is not to harm us but to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God is able to do above and beyond all we could ever dare to ask or hope or dream (Ephesians 3:20)! So we must at least dare to ask and hope and dream, don’t you think?

1 Peter 5:10 ~ So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

So there you have it, 3 perspectives that stir up fear, and 3 perspectives that stir up faith.

Where will you fix your gaze?
On Whom will you put your trust?
May we all look up and declare, If God is for us, who can stand against us?

You’re right. No one. Nothing. Not a thing. 

We possess all in Christ. Thank you, Jesus

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