Fear is not our friend, it is a spirit sent to derail us from getting to the designed destiny that God has for us. 

Fear is "False Evidence Appearing Real". When we believe a lie we live as though it is true. 

Fear comes in many forms; Anxiety, Unbelief, Doubt, Worry, Resistance

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound (self disciplined) mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

“Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment (correction, rejection) has not reached love’s perfection.” 1 John 4:18 TPT

If fear/resistance has stopped you in any area of your life you have let it influence your destiny.

Fear is a liar, Whatever fear is telling you, the opposite is true. Fear is faith in the wrong kingdom. Both fear and faith are believing that what I cannot see will come to pass.

Proverbs 12:28, Romans 8:6, John 10:10

God is love, so He will not bring fear to lead us.

Fear is sin: We can’t be believing, trusting and walking in faith and be fearful, doubting and unbelieving.

Steps to overcome fear:

Christ has truly set us free, stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again [be entangled] to a yoke of bondage Galatians 5:1

Some Questions to Ask:

“Do something every day that scares you” - Eleanor Roosevelt

“What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?” - Eleanor Roosevelt

A dictionary definition of faith is to think to be true, to be persuaded of, place confidence in. 

The Bible defines faith as believing in what we cannot see, and also walking and living by that belief. 

The predominate idea of trust/confidence in God and Jesus Christ springs from faith in Them.

Faith is like a mustard seed, and is activated and grown through challenges and choice. We can activate our faith through gratitude and watch it grow because what we focus on grows.

Mark 11:23-24, James 1:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 11:6

When our anxious thoughts overwhelm us where do we turn? Do we feel we have to carry it alone? 

Let's listen today and lean into what God says about how anxiety, depression and worry harm us, and the answers He has in His word, the Bible, for living in peace.

Scripture References today: Proverbs 12:25, 15:13, 15 & 17:22 in The Passion Translation (TPT)

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." NKJV

Philippians 4:6-7 "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard you hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." NLT

Colossians 3:15 "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state]... And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]." AMPC

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When life happens and you receive bad news: a diagnosis you didn't expect, a failed venture, a relationship falling apart. How do you respond?

We might not be able to control what happens to us, but we can control how we think and speak about it and that will change how we feel about it.

In today's podcast I get to sit down with my good friend Sasha Anderson, Wife, mother of 3, Assistant Coach for SPU Women's basketball and breast cancer survivor. We talk about the peaks and valleys of life and how we can come out of hard things stronger and better, full of love and character.

We can change our thoughts and change our life. We are not stuck living a life we weren't designed for. Our thoughts are powerful tools to renew our minds to the designed purpose that God has for us. Not all thoughts are our own, we can take these thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome and change. You are deeply loved, and we have a living hope in Jesus to live an abundant life.

Resources:

Dr. Caroline Leaf's podcast: Cleaning up the mental mess & IG @drcarolineleaf- neuroscientist, mental health & mind expert

Joyce Meyer's book: The Battlefield of the Mind

Key Scriptures:

Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Psalm 91

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. I think we have all been there. How can we go from feeling so hopeful one moment, and then feeling drained of hope within minutes? Let's explore what God's word has to say and keep our hope up!

Scripture References:

Proverbs 13:12, Lamentations 3:21-25, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Hebrews 6:19, 2 Peter 3:9