Debilitating Fear

Have you ever been so consumed with fear that you could hardly move? Has your heart ever been so devastated and broken—so fearful of pain—you could  scarcely breathe—let alone continue on with normal life?

Fear is a thief—suspending and incapacitating life.

But that’s not all—let me let you in on a secret—fear is really a facade. That’s right as enormous and intimatading as fear may seem—in light of who Jesus is fear is very puny and ineffective!

I just read a story about how Jesus healed, restored and delivered a tortured man.  (Read Luke 8: 26-38)  After his healing this man clothed, and in his right mind, sat at the feet of Jesus—listening, loving and taking in every word He said. The man was truly restored.

The town’s people however, were terrified of the change that came to the tortured man—they were fearful of the peace that now filled the man. As a result of their fear they asked Jesus, even though He had only been there a very short while, to get back into His boat and leave.

I marvel at the ignorance of these people. Jesus does a miracle and the people are so afraid they ask Him to leave?

What would have happened in that whole town if the people instead welcomed Him? How many lives would have been changed and hearts healed if they had chosen faith in the place of fear?

How many times could our own heart and lives be helped—if we would just choose faith?

Be encouraged, by the grace of God, to stand in faith and draw near to Jesus. To live in hope and belief—not allowing debilitating fear to rule and ruin the peaceful life Jesus intends for you to have.

Please remember in the light of who Jesus is—fear is a puny, ineffective facade—therefore give it no room in your life!

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

Principle of Love

“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God: those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive. It is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because God would have us.” Brother Lawrence, Fifth Letter

Above is a quote from the book Practice of the Presence of God. From cover to cover you’ll find a record of letters and conversations written by Brother Lawrence, a meager monk who simply loved God. His life ambition was to always be in God’s presence.

What I love about him is his heart, being in God’s presence wasn’t for his own pleasure; but it was for the principle of love. I desire this for my life.

The principle of love, is to purely long to be with God, with no other motive than to love Him.

I want my children to want to be with me, not for what I can do for them, buy them or teach them, but because they love me. God is no different.

God delights in you, for no other reason than love.

He longs for continual conversation with you, for no other reason than He loves you.

I have a knowing inside of me, that if we would just love Him—every concern, every need, every desire would be met. This would be the place of rest, no striving, no asking, no manipulation just being still, enjoying the presence of God—daily—regularly.

Psalms 46:10

“Be still and know that I am God.”

Life swirls all around us, if were not watchful we will be enveloped by it. Being caught in the whirlwind of life, always makes rest illusive. Rest for a weary heart and soul is found in the peace of God’s presence.

Be encouraged to make your relationship with God, one that practices His presence and lives by the principle of love.

The book Practice of the Presence of God, can be printed for free at www.PracticeGodsPresence.com