Faith over fear!

Faith Over Fear!
“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand (NASB).” As the number of COVID-19 cases rise and the pandemic of fear grows, I recommend revisiting Isaiah 41:10 as a source of encouragement and hope amid increasing fear and anxiety. Whenever we or others need a go-to verse in turbulent times, this is a great one to turn to. Here Isaiah reveals our only trustworthy source for hope and peace.
In this verse, the Lord promises strength, help, and protection. He also makes two commands: “Do not fear” and “Do not anxiously look about you.” Among the enemy's subtle and successful tactics is the art of distraction. Satan knows that continued fear can choke even a seasoned believer’s faith. He works hard to make fear and uncertainty our sole focus. Once our attention has been diverted from God, natural human tendencies tend to take over. In the absence of prayer and worship, anxiety and doubt grow unobstructed.
It can be challenging to stay focused on the Lord after months of trying circumstances. The flesh prefers to seek security by thinking through all possible angles. Our tendency is to weigh what we think could happen against what “the experts” say will happen and then evaluate possible ways of preventing our worst fears from coming true. Instead of becoming more confident, we begin to realize how powerless we really are. Thankfully, we serve a mighty God who says, “Surely I will uphold you” we can count on Him! By choosing to only focus on what could or might happen, we are actually choosing to fill our minds with anxiety and doubt. These emotions do not belong in a believers life. Instead, make a conscious decision to trust the promises God has made to us. The Lord has provided promises like the one found in this passage today throughout scripture to keep us steady in our faith. Only faith in our God will overcome our fears!
Grace and peace always,
Fr. Greg+

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