2021-03-01
Isaiah 41:10 NCV
Fear can steal our creativity and self-worth. The longer it lives inside us, the stronger it grows. And it’s often fed by words; not just the words others say, but the words we say to ourselves. When we think, ‘There’s no way I’m going to make it,’ we dent our armour and undermine our effectiveness.
Fear can show itself as overprotectiveness, anger, pettiness, jealousy, or boasting. It can weigh us down with the feeling that we have to protect and defend ourselves and make sure we’re not forgotten or overlooked.
So when we’re feeling fearful, what should we do? The best thing we can do is acknowledge that we’re fearful, and then bring that fear to God and ask Him to take it from us. This is what He promises us: ‘Don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you.’ In Scripture, the term ‘God’s right hand’ refers to His willingness and power to work on our behalf.
Two chapters later in Isaiah, God told the same people, ‘Don’t be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name and you are mine’ (Isaiah 43:1 NCV). God takes care of what belongs to Him, and as His beloved children, He’ll look after each one of us.
So when we’re feeling anxious and afraid, let’s choose to say, ‘There’s no way I’m going to make it in my own strength, but I will make it with God’s strength.’
Gen 30:25-31:55; Matt 19:15-30; Ps 66:13-20; Prov 6:23-25
Jesaja 41:10 NLV
Vrees sal jou kreatiwiteit en selfwaarde by jou steel. Vrees is die vyand van grootheid en die antitese van geloof. Hoe langer dit binne-in jou leef, hoe sterker word dit. Dit word deur woorde bemes, nie net deur die woorde wat ander mense sê nie, maar deur die woorde wat jy vir jouself sê. Wanneer jy vir jouself sê: ‘Daar is nie ‘n manier wat ek dit gaan maak nie,’ duik jy jou wapenrusting en ondermyn jy jou effektiwiteit. Wanneer jy dit in jou laat sweer, sal dit jou soos ‘n plaag affekteer.
Om vrees te oorkom, moet jy dit eers identifiseer en dit blootstel. Dit sal in jou beweegsredes wegkruip. Dit sal met oorbeskerming, woede, kleinlikheid, jaloesie en spogpraatjies, beklee word. Dit sal jou met ‘n gevoel van verantwoordelikheid dat jy vir jouself moet sorg, jouself moet beskerm en jouself moet verdedig, aftrek. Wanneer jy vol vrees is, wat moet jy dus doen?
Daar is net een gewaarborgde koers van aksie: Staan teen jou vrese op. Hier is ‘n belofte uit God se Woord wat net so waar is vandag soos toe Hy dit die eerste keer gespreek het: ‘Moenie bang wees nie, want Ek is by jou. Moenie ontsteld word nie, want Ek is jou God. Ek maak jou sterk en wil jou help. Ek hou jou vas met my reddende regterhand.’ In die Skrif spreek die terme: ‘God se regterhand’ tot sy gewilligheid en mag om namens jou te werk. Twee hoofstukke later in Jesaja, het God vir dieselfde mense gesê: ‘Moenie bang wees nie, want Ek het jou verlos. Ek het jou by jou naam geroep. Jy is Myne’ (Jesaja 43:2 NLV). God sorg vir wat syne is.
Sielskos: Gen 30:25-31:55; Matt 19:15-30; Ps 66:13-20; Spr 6:23-25
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Fear will rob you of your creativity and self-worth. It is the enemy of greatness; the antithesis of faith. The longer it lives inside you, the stronger it grows. And it’s fertilized by words; not just the words others say, but the words you say to yourself. When you tell yourself, “There’s no way I’m going to make it,” you’ve dented your armor and undermined your effectiveness. And if you let it fester, it will affect you like a plague.
To overcome fear, you must first identify and expose it. It will hide in your motives. It’ll drape itself in overprotectiveness, anger, pettiness, jealousy, and boasting so you don’t get overlooked. It’ll weigh you down with the responsibility of feeling like you have to look out for yourself, protect yourself, and defend yourself.
So when you’re fearful, what should you do? There’s only one guaranteed course of action: Stand up to your fears – within and without. Here’s a promise from God’s Word that’s as true today as it was when He first spoke it: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” In Scripture the term “God’s right hand” speaks of His willingness and power to work on your behalf. Two chapters later in Isaiah, God told the same people, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1 NKJV). And what God owns – He takes care of.
Soul food: Gen 30:25-31:55; Matt 19:15-30; Ps 66:13-20; Prov 6:23-25
