Hello ,
Once in a while I feel so impressed to speak about some of the challenges that struggling Christians have, that I can't stop thinking about it...until I say something.
Today is one of those times .
I talk with a good number of people in my ministry, and one of the over-reaching themes that I hear struggling Christians talk about is the subject of "FEAR." Christians everywhere fear so many things in their lives.
- The fear of never being good enough.
- The fear of addiction.
- The fear of spiritually losing their children.
- The fear of not being the kind of person they were designed to be.
- The fear of not being strong enough to fight life's battles.
- The fear of insignificance.
- The fear that others will finally discover how spiritually bankrupt they are.
That above list is only a partial offering. If you're anything like me, you can add other "fears" to that index. Living in this war zone that we call "planet earth," there are so many things that we could be afraid of. It's perfectly understandable when we struggle; in fact, the scriptures tell us that it WILL happen.
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Fear can paralyze us, but you and I can rise above the fears that we struggle with, and settle into a peace that passes all understanding.
How? By having a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ!
I have recently been impressed that there is at least one subscriber in The Open Word e-Devotional family who is struggling with fear in their everyday lives. I don't know who that could be, and it's not important for me to know. If that describes you, or someone you are close to however, I want you to know that fear doesn't have to have control anyone's life.
I don't say that flippantly, or casually. I certainly don't have my entire life together, but I do believe that the perfect will of God for each of us, is to live with peace, and in peace.
I'd like to share some music with you that I have found to be very comforting. It's a song by a man named Zach Williams. Zach has his own story of pain and struggle, and when I first heard the lyrics, my heart was touched by the depth and understanding that these words convey. I highly recommend watching and listening.
Please access this video by clicking the following LINK.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7
I have been impressed to write to that person who lives in constant fear. God knows what you struggle with. He understands the fears that are within your heart. He didn't send Jesus here to condemn you. He sent Jesus here to save you!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17
If there is anything that you would like me to lift up in prayer on your behalf, please don't hesitate to write to me. All correspondence is confidential.
My prayer for anyone who is struggling with fear, is that they will turn towards their Heavenly Father Who loves them.
May God bless you in a very special way today.
Pastor Mike / The Open Word
P.S. Please feel free to share this e-mail with anyone who might be struggling with fear in their lives.
