Conquering Fear

Last Saturday night I only got like 3 hours of sleep (oh the joys of switching back and forth between day and night sleeping!). When Scott's alarm went off for him to get off to church to run the sound for first service, I rolled back over and tried to sleep again. No luck. I finally got up at 7:40. I faught with myself for about 5 minutes on whether or not to get in the shower and go to church or be lazy on the couch. I was so tired!! And I only had 30 minutes before I would have to leave. I couldn't stay, I had to go...something was telling me to go. GO!! Okay fine...somewhat hesitantly I showered and got ready super fast and went to church.

When I got there and saw in the bulletin that we had a guest pastor preaching that morning, immediately I regretted coming and wished I had just stayed in bed. Man did I feel stupid a short while later. I am SO glad I went. I am SO glad I listened to that little prodding...voice?...no it wasn't even a voice...just a feeling. Whatever it was I listened. And now I'm convinced it was the Holy Spirit because his sermon entitled "Fear Factors" was EXACTLY what I needed to hear at this particular time in my life. *Exactly*.

He basically broke apart the verse from 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

I don't think I can reiterate exactly what he said, but I do want to share several of the verses used Sunday morning.

Romans 8:37-39 "In all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor anypowers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

Phillipians 4:6-9 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Basically, fear is not from God. When fear creeps in (and it has way more than crept into my life lately) we must focus on the Power (He is the Power)...stay in the Word, prayer...stay connected to the Truth. Also we must focus on His love for us, everything He has blessed us with...trials are not His punishment, there are a fact of life. Lastly we must focus on having a sound mind, purposely think on what is true (phillipians) and have faith..."live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7).

Okay so that's not even close to what he said. I want to buy his tape. It makes sense...unlike what I just typed up, lol!

But I do want to note that this was the THIRD time in one week that Phillipians 4:6-7 was brought to my attention. Once it was just brought to mind (and I posted it here last week), then a friend posted it on her blog that same day unbeknownst to either of us, and then it was in the sermon on Sunday. Okay God, I get it! But feel free to keep reminding me...I have a tendancy to forget...

Learning (slowly),
~Abigail~