Do It Afraid

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous.  Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  –Joshua 1:9

This week has been incredibly amazing.  God has taught me so much this week.  A couple of days ago I read a book by Joyce Meyer called, Do It Afraid, Obeying God In The Face Of Fear.  That book changed my life.  My whole outlook and reaction to fear has completely changed. 

Honestly, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run or disobeyed God because I was afraid.  Fear is something that has ruled my life for a long time.  I’d surround myself in a box so that I’d never let anyone get close enough to really know me.  I would run if I had to do something that was uncomfortable for me.  But then I read this book.

Joyce Meyer talked about how we have a tendency to think that it’s wrong to feel fear, to be afraid.  But God never said shake not, tremble not, and sweat not.  He said fear not.  It’s okay to be afraid; it’s not okay to run because you’re afraid.  That really hit me hard. 

I can’t even begin to write down all that I have learned from that book, but I would encourage everyone to read it.  At the end of the book Joyce Meyer said, “ Don’t let the devil rob you of the destiny God has for you.  Step out and face your fears; face your pain.  Go ahead and shake, tremble and sweat.  God didn’t say not to feel fear-He said not to run!  You can be a victorious Christian, or you can be one who is never quite able to enjoy the fullness of God.  The only difference between the two is that one is stopped by fear and the other does it afraid.  Determine today to do it afraid!”  I’m learning that it can be really tough to face my fears and do it afraid, but God has been there with me every step that I have taken.  Through my small fears and my big fears.  Through His strength I am slowly beginning to overcome some fears that I thought I’d never conquer. 

Go ahead, I dare you.  Do it afraid.

If anyone has any prayer requests, please feel free to post them in my chatterbox or you can leave a comment.  I would be more than blessed to pray for you.