This week I was speaking to the Young Adults about the importance of courage and I started off the discussion with this question and I want you to answer it too.
What is something that you were scared of doing but overcame it? (Think...)
You accomplished it right? Did you die? Of coarse not. Now, answer this. Is there still something that you are afraid of doing and need to overcome it? If so, what is stopping you? Yes, I know, fear which in turn, translates to lack of courage.
What is courage?
Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. "Physical courage" is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while "moral courage" is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.
Let's face it, we all have fears! Fear about something, uncertainty about the future, something that happened to us in the past which has paralyzed us from moving forward in the future.
FEAR PARALIZES FAITH!
Now, the million dollar question is how do you gain confidence and overcome fear? In order to overcome fear, you must face fear. This isn't an easy task but you can do it. You must look at your enemy in the face and face that bully called Fear. To say “no” is to live in fear. My goal is to continually improve myself, to become better than I am today. One way to do that is to do the things that scare me, to take them on as challenges, and to learn from them — even if I fail. Are you up for the challenge?
In the bible we see many people who were put in very tough situation and had a choice to make. What do I do? Do I take a chance or will I let my fear interfere? And these bible characters were heroes, they were courageous but at one point or another, had a decision to make. God wants you to make a decision. Do you continue to live the way you are living, in your comfort zone or do you shake it off and actually Go For It? The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results. It's not going to work! You must do something different in order to see something different. God is waiting for you to take the Courage and step out into the destiny He has prepared for you. It will be scary, intimidating, confusing, and a whole bunch of other mixed emotions but when you know God has called you for something specific you can rely on His support and His blessing. He will be with you every step of the way.
1. Esther made a declaration: If I perish then I'll perish but she was determined to fight for her people, even if it cost her her life. She was called for such a time as this to go before the king and save her people. For such a time as this God has called you for what? Are you willing to risk it all for Jesus? Esther was.
2. Daniel was a young man who decided to be different. He would not eat from the king's food, he would not bow down to his god, he would instead bow down to His God and pray three times a day even if it cost him his life. He was thrown into the lion's den, in an burning furnace, he faced many life threatening situations but he persevered in his faith. He was willing to risk his life and his freedom to serve God. Now, that is courage! Question is, how bad are you willing to defend your faith?
3. Paul was a very courageous man. Before coming to Christ he was a persecutor of Christians but after his conversion he became a passionate Christian, enduring all sorts of pain and suffering for the cause of the gospel. He was beaten, thrown in jail, ultimately killed but nothing ever stopped him from preaching the gospel and fulfilling God's will on earth. What is stopping you today from fulfilling God's will in your life?
Is it fear? These are only 3 of the many examples of people who were in a "fear" setting enviroment but they were able to overcome it because their purpose was greater than their persecution. Your faith must be greater than your fear
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Fear is a spirit that does not come from God, He has not given us that spirit, then why do we choose to accept it? He has given us power, power to overcome fear! Do not let fear get in the way of the great plans God has instore for you. Only you can stop His purpose to be fulfilled in your life.
Confidence is built slowly, one success at a time. Like I mentioned previously, I’ve learned that in order to overcome fear, you must face fear. And once you face it, your faith will propel you to overcome it. And today I want to share 14 steps that will help you overcome fear. I will just list them but not go in depth because this blog is a condenced version of the teaching that I gave so here you go.
1. Don’t dwell on failures.
2. Rehearse a positive outcome.
3. Don’t procrastinate.
4. To think confidently, act confidently.
5. Think like the other person.
6. Maintain a positive mental attitude.
7. Get off your “but”. Learn to defeat a case of the “buts”.
8. Visualize success.
9. Look sharp. Take care of yourself.
10. Do the right thing.
11. Keep things in perspective.
12. Don’t seek perfection.
13. Read the success literature. Research others who have succeeded.
14. Don’t compare yourself to others. Be yourself
With these steps and God by your side, there is nothing that you cannot achieve.
And I'll leave you with these few key bible verses that speak about Courage.
1. Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
2. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:7-9
3. And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.
1Chronicles 28:20
4. Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24
5. Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Isaiah 41:10
6. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58
7. Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
1Corinthians 16:13
8. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Ephesians 6:10
I hope this blog blesses your life and motivates you to get up and do it. Do not allow Fear to paralyze your faith. You are positioned to do great things that will require you to come out of your comfort zone. Shake yourself off and GO!
Be Encouraged, Be Blessed
Landy Perez-Feliciano ♥
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