Part 2 - STEPPING OUT OF THE SHADOW OF FEAR INTO THE
LIGHT OF HOPE
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? ~ Psalm 56:3-4
In my previous blog I was sharing that it is
possible to step out of the shadow of fear and walk in the light of Hope. Today I want to continue with this journey by
helping us to see how we can live and walk in the light of Hope and that we are
not alone in this journey.
REMEMBER THIS AMAZING FACT: HOPE THAT IS LIVED IS HOPE THAT IS ALIVE
Have you wrestled with the frustration of being so wrapped up with your past, your pain, or your poor attitude that you fail to realize that if you choose to have
HOPE that is LIVED in your life that your life is HOPE THAT IS ALIVE? People are compelled and drawn to those
around them that have an unquenchable hope that is real and not a facade. It is the type of HOPE that can light the
flame, restore the passion, rejuvenate the heart, and transform the mind into
an entirely brand new life.
·
HOPE ATTITUDE: Holding On
Praying Expectantly
Our OUTLOOK depends upon our INLOOK and UPLOOK!
Picture of Apostle Paul's UPLOOK in Philippians 1:12-14...
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."
I am reminded of Gandhi's words, 'My Life is my message'.
GOD
WANTS TO BE YOUR UPLOOK -- SO...
Remember: GOD is OUR LIGHT TO GUIDE and STRENGTH TO GROW!
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:1
Remember: GOD is
OUR COMPANION and LIFE LIFTER!
"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."
Isaiah 41:10
Remember: GOD gives us a NEW SPIRIT OF HIS POWER, HIS
LOVE, and HIS SELF-DISCIPLINE!
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
2 Timothy 1:7
If you live your life
afraid because you're afraid to live, then you live no life at all.
-Unknown
-Unknown
I
know that the Spirit of God gives me everything I need to turn my discouraging
fear into determined hope. The Apostle
Paul in his letter to the people at Corinth reminded them and us that..."we have this treasure in jars of clay to
show that this all-surpassing power
is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not
crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck
down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body (2 Corinthians
4:7-11).
Perhaps we find ourselves living
a fearless life, more than capable of becoming the people God meant for us to
be and still wants us to become. Mark
Twain gives a wonderful reminder when he said...
“20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw
off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your
sails. Explore. Dream. Discover”
~ Mark Twain
