Part 5: Facing Our Fears

Supporting Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:12; 2 Timothy 1:7; Isaiah 41:10-12

What do you fear most in life? We all have to confront fear sometimes. Whether we are concerned about health, loss, the future, or some other threat,we seldom realize the power these fears hold over us. Our present world is one dominated by fear because we have rejected the Lord. Those without the proper fear of God will experience every other kind of fear.

The truth is that those of us who love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ need have no fear at all.

God’s Word is filled with encouraging promises for us to claim. The awesome words of Isaiah 41, for example, fill us with fresh confidence even in a world like this. The prophet writes, “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God” (v. 10).


Scriptural Principles:


1 Fear can be godly or sinful.
Fear is a feeling of uneasiness or dread that we experience when we feel threatened. It begins with the Bible’s first man.Adam feared because he knew that he and Eve had ignored God’s command. Fear is often the product of sin, but not all fear is sinful. Good fears are the godly ones that represent our natural need for protection.There is also the fear of God that is described in Deuteronomy 10:12. The “fear of the Lord” is not being afraid of Him, but having a sense of awe and reverence for Him.We read in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God has not given us a spirit of timidity or fear.” He is not the source of the fear that hinders us.

2 What are the causes of fear?
We learn at an early age to be wary of certain things. Babies fear falling and loud noises, but all other fears are learned through experience. Fears may be planted in our minds by the repetition of parents or teachers. Imagination can delude us into fears that are not based upon reality. Guilt from the past is another cause of fear if we fail to understand that we are fully forgiven by God. Lack of knowledge is another factor, as many believers aren’t aware that they have eternal security and need not fear judgment. Other people harbor fears because they doubt the Word of God, which is filled with promises for all of us.

3 What are the consequences of fear?
If you are beset by fears, you need to begin by asking what this way of life is costing you. It will impact us in ways we would never imagine, because fear does not represent who we are in Christ. Fear stifles our productivity, keeping us from doing our best. It also divides the mind, keeping us from focusing on those things God wants us to consider. It destroys our relationships and hinders us financially. The truth about fear is that it enslaves us by governing our attitudes. It will take hold of every area of a person’s life, so that the price of fear is a terrible one, and we seldom realize we are paying it.

4 Cure your fear by acknowledging it. The most important question about fear is how we might confront and conquer it. First, we know that fear does not come from God. (2 Timothy 1:7) We must believe that God will uphold us because He has promised to be with us every step of our journey. So we must claim His promise and acknowledge our fear, admitting to ourselves and to the Lord that we are afraid.Then, having acknowledged that fear is a reality for us, we can take the second step in curing fear.

5 Cure your fear by identifying its source.
The second step is to identify the source of our fear. Realizing we are afraid is not the same as understanding the source of our discomfort.There are times when we realize we are afraid, but we have a vague realization of what lies behind these emotions because we don’t want to face the truth. This is why it is so important to specifically identify the threat in life that is making us afraid. When you take this step, spend time reflecting carefully about the thoughts that are causing you such distress. Find the true cause, and give it a name.

6 Cure your fear by focusing on God.
The third step in curing fear is to turn your focus from your fear to your Father. Realize that He is in control of everything, whether it is your health, your job situation, your marriage—whatever the source of your fear may be. God is more powerful than any challenge we may face, and He loves us with an abiding love. Therefore we spend time with Him, thanking Him and praising Him. We claim Romans 8:28, which says that He will use all things for our good. As we do this, our hearts and minds find fresh encouragement.

7 Cure your fear by exercising faith.
The fourth step in facing our fear is to exercise faith. Now we fully realize that God is with us, and He has promised to be with us everywhere we go. Therefore we are free to walk in faith. This means living out the decisions we have made about Christ being Lord of all. If we really believe He is Lord, we will not become victims of our fear, but move forward with confidence that comes from faith in Him. It’s exciting to watch Him work through our faith as He provides for our every need.

8 Cure your fear by verbalizing the truth.
Finally, what is the best way to exercise our faith? We do so by putting our commitment into words. Having acknowledged and identified our fear, and having turned our focus to God, we might say, for example, “Thank you, Father, that I am saved. Thank you for protecting and providing for me. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts You give me each day. Now I know I can confront those things and those people in life that have made me so afraid, because You will go with me and give me strength.” By affirming the Word of God and speaking your faith, fear subsides as your trust grows stronger each day.


Conclusion:


Let me ask you a question: Can you think of any truly good thing that God has not promised us? Can you think of any worldly threat for which He has not already provided our assurance? I know that if you are like virtually every other person in this world, you have fears that you have not faced spiritually and rationally.Why not identify them and turn them over to your Father today?

If fear has you in its grip, you need to realize that your problem is an issue of obedience. If you walk in the Spirit, trusting in the Lord with your heart, mind, and strength, His love will overpower your fear, His truth will overpower your irrational doubts, and His presence will cast out all darkness.

The cure for your fear is right within reach today. You need only take the hand of your Lord in faith. He has said, “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about, for I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10). That is His promise, and our God has never yet forsaken a promise. We can place our trust in Him.

[Last part of Facing Life's Obstacles, see other related post.]

Part 4: Facing Criticism and Praise

Supporting Scripture:
Proverbs 10:17; 13:18; 15:31-32; 16:5, 18; 28:13; 29:1, 23

How do you respond to praise and criticism? We can tell a great deal about others by how they handle the positive and negative suggestions that come from other people. The right response to praise can motivate us to do our best, to look our best, and to be our best in a spirit of humility and thanksgiving.The right response to criticism can be a powerful tool in building us to be the Christians God wants us to be.

What happens when we fail to properly accept either of these? Throughout Proverbs we are warned about the terrible damage to our lives when we fall short of godly principles for handling words of advice and instruction. Proverbs 27:21, for example, tells us that each person is tested by the praise that is accorded him. It makes no difference who is speaking to us or whether the observations are accurate.

Our response is our measurement in maturity.


Scriptural Principles:
1 What are the wrong responses to criticism?
Criticism can be difficult to accept, and therefore we are often quick to respond in negative ways. The first mistake we can make is to become angry.We should always control our temper when we are criticized.

Second,we should avoid being defensive and arguing over our weaknesses.Third,we should avoid going on the attack. Many people turn the criticism back toward the one doing the criticizing, and this can create a personal battle. It is also a mistake to accept criticism in silence or by pouting. No one enjoys being around us when we respond in that immature way. Instead, we should meet criticism with openness and maturity, with reasonableness rather than with negative emotions.

2 Why do people respond to criticism in negative ways?
For many reasons, most people fail to accept criticism in a mature fashion. One reason for this is a poor self-image. Some people grow up in an atmosphere of criticism rather than acceptance, and they have been too often victimized by mean-spirited words.A second reason is a feeling of insecurity. Such people expect the worst from others, and therefore criticism feeds their insecure feelings. A third factor is perfectionism. This is a form of enslavement that comes from setting our standards too high.We are so concerned about perfection that we become defensive toward any opposition. Finally, sinful pride and arrogance definitely encourage poor responses to criticism. As mature believers,we are always humbly looking for opportunities to grow.

3 What are the consequences when we cannot accept criticism?
Our response isn’t determined by who speaks or whether the criticism is valid.As godly men and women, we respond in ways that are pleasing to God. The Proverbs warn us that many unhappy results come to us when we don’t know how to deal with criticism.We suffer loss and we lose valuable opportunities. Those who can’t accept criticism miss out on love, because unconditional love must speak the truth. Defensive people isolate themselves and miss out on the wonderful love they need. We must also learn how to offer criticism with a gentle spirit. Being abusive can damage other people, particularly young people. Giving and receiving criticism lovingly makes a tremendous difference in life.

4 What is the proper response to criticism?
When someone offers a critical word, we should listen attentively and carefully, looking that person in the eye. We should keep silent while the critic is speaking and ask ourselves, “Is this a valid criticism? Is God trying to say something to me?” We should keep an open and teachable spirit rather than being defensive or going on the attack. Then, after the critic has spoken, we should always thank him for his words and promise to consider them.The criticism, of course, may not be valid. But if we feel that it was, then we should ask for forgiveness, and we may even thank them for the opportunity to improve our life.

5 What is the difference between praise and flattery?
As we think about praise, it is especially crucial to define our terms.When someone comes to us with inflated compliments designed to manipulate some kind of response, this is flattery rather than praise. Flattery often appeals to someone’s pride or vanity, and it is deceitful and deceptive. Praise, on the other hand, is an expression of genuine appreciation for someone else, offered out of love and for that person’s encouragement.

God works in this kind of praise to build our love for one another and to strengthen us in maturity and skill.

6 What is the proper response to praise?
Some Christians immediately give God the credit verbally when they receive a compliment. As proper as it may seem, this habit can become a pathway to pride. It isn’t necessary to say these words aloud each time. How, then, should we respond? When someone offers a compliment, we shouldn’t look the other way or add an explanation.We should simply say, “Thank you.” We should never contradict the compliment. Again, false humility is dangerous. However, it is very helpful to ask questions about the compliment. We may learn something valuable by gratefully asking what prompted these encouraging words. Most importantly we should deflect and redirect. To deflect is to thank God immediately in silent prayer.To redirect is to share
the compliment with someone who has helped us, perhaps a spouse or a co-worker.

7 What are the rewards for handling criticism and praise properly?
We have all handled positive or negative words in the wrong way, and we have been discouraged by the results. What happens when we accept these remarks in the way that honors God? First, we experience a sense of peace in our relationships. Second, our gracious reactions attract other people to us, so that we find we have more rewarding friendships. Third, we discover that we have a healing influence in our relationships.

Finally,we have the fullest impact with others as we allow Jesus Christ to live His life in and through us.

Conclusion:

What about you, my friend? Do you accept the words offered by others with the graciousness that the Holy Spirit provides us when we walk in His strength and His peace? Think about how you responded on the most recent occasion when someone criticized you at home or at work. If you silently deflected your last compliment to God, you will have a reliable indicator of your present maturity as a believer.

Words can build up and they can tear down. We serve an awesome God who gives us fresh opportunities for growth every single day, simply by hearing and applying constructive observations from those around us. My desire for you is that you would join me in the joy of following Jesus Christ, and pleasing Him through these important tools of praise and criticism. He will honor our obedience, and we will give Him all the glory.

Part 3: Facing the Unknown with Confidence

Key Passage: Romans 8:28-39
Supporting Scripture: Psalm 139:1, 7-12; Hebrews 4:13; Ephesians 1:4; Matthew 6:8, 32-34

When you look into the future, what do you see? Every single one of us must admit that we see nothing for certain.The future is unknown. Most of us are curious about what tomorrow holds for us, but the truth is that we cannot know for sure. People attempt to discover the future in many strange ways, but only God holds all the answers. Only He knows His plans for us.

When we think of the future, there are so many unknowns. How can we live every day with so many unanswered questions? How can we have the peace and confidence we need, in the midst of so much uncertainty?

Romans 8:28-39 is filled with reasons why we can live with assurance from God when so much is unknown. Paul writes, “If God is for us, who is against us?” (verse 31).


Scriptural Principles:

1 Focus on God’s omniscience.
Omniscience is a word that means all-knowing.With God there are no unknowns.Therefore, we can be assured that while the future may seem mysterious from our vantage point, there is no mystery at all from God’s perspective. If you and I trust our loving Father, we can trust His plans for the future. In Romans 8:28 we have the promise that He uses all things to work together for the good of those who love Him. Bad things may happen, but He will ultimately use everything for our benefit because He loves us. He knows the future and He knows us:“O Lord, You have searched me and known me” (Psalm 139: 1). Hebrews 4:13 tells us that because nothing is hidden from Him,we can bring every care to Him.

As we think of life’s unknowns, therefore, our first principle is that with God there are no unknowns.

2 Focus on God’s sovereignty.
Sovereignty is a word that means God is in full control. How can God cause all things to work together for His own purposes? He can do so because He is Lord and Master of this universe; He is in control. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that God chose us before the world was created. He knew you and I would be saved, even before we were born. For God there are no unknowns, and there is nothing that is outside His control. The Old Testament tells the story of Joseph, who suffered in so many ways before becoming the prime minister of Egypt. God was always in control. He had a plan for Joseph, and He has a plan for you. Our sovereign God rules over every detail of your life, so that when circumstances are out of your control, you can be certain they are not out of His control.

3 Focus on God’s presence.
One of the most awesome truths about our God is that He is not only in control and all-knowing—our God is present with us. Psalm 139:7-12 tells us that there is nowhere in the universe we can go to be apart from the awesome presence of God. Romans 8:37-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God’s knowledge, power, and presence surround us everywhere we go. In the person of the Holy Spirit, our Savior has come to indwell us, so that He guides us and counsels us every moment of every day.The truth is that we could not escape the incredible presence of God even if we wanted to do so.We can rise every morning in the wonderful knowledge that He will be with us wherever we go. Therefore, why should we live in fear or uncertainty?

4 Focus on God’s provision.
We can also remember that we serve a God who has promised to fill every need we could ever have. Just how willing is He to do that? Romans 8:31-32 tells us that He would not spare His own Son. God the Father loved us enough to allow Jesus, His own Son, to be crucified because of our need of forgiveness. We also read that He will freely give us all things that we truly need. In Matthew 6:8 Jesus said that our Father knows what we need even before we ask Him. In Matthew 6:32-34, Jesus said that if we seek first His kingdom and righteousness, all these things would be added for us. Every day, you and I have the opportunity to live in the knowledge that He will supply every single need, so that we can live in joy, confidence, and eagerness to serve Him.

5 Focus on God’s love for you.
There is no more comforting, reassuring or wonderful passage in Scripture than Romans 8, where Paul tells us that God’s love is so powerful that no trial in life can ever come between that love and us: “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (verses 38, 39).That awesome love will shelter us in every situation. It was demonstrated when Christ gave Himself on the cross for us. He loves you and me so much that He longs to wrap His loving arms around us and hold onto us for all eternity, never letting go.We can be reassured in any
uncertainty, knowing that a love so powerful enfolds us every moment of every day.

6 Face the unknown by confessing your sin and accepting God’s forgiveness.
When you consider this incredible passage from the Apostle Paul, you may wonder how you can experience such an indescribable love. If you want to be able to face every unknown in life with confidence, begin by acknowledging your sinfulness. Every human being has fallen short of God’s perfect standards. That sin has separated us from God and His love, and we need an intercessor to bring us back into His presence. That intercessor is Jesus Christ, who paid the full penalty for our sins through His death on the cross. Only He could have expressed that perfect love and perfect forgiveness, for He was God in the flesh. Acknowledge your sin; accept His free gift of forgiveness; experience His cleansing of every sin.


Conclusion:

Isn’t it wonderful to know the amazing depths of the love of God? We step into the future without any clear expectation of what lies ahead of us. Yet we know that His knowledge is perfect, so that none of it is a mystery to Him; His control is all-encompassing, so that nothing is beyond His Lordship; His presence is permanent, so that we need never be alone; and His love for us is eternal, so that nothing in this life or the next one can ever separate us from it.

My friend, have you experienced this awesome love? Are you looking to the future with the joy of anticipation rather than the uneasiness of fear? I pray that you will surrender to Him today as your Lord and your Savior, so that every stain of sin that separates you from God will be removed. Only then can you bask in that perfect love that He has had for you since even before the world was formed.

Part 2: Facing Our Failures

Key Passage: Joshua 7:1-10
Supporting Scripture: Joshua 1:3-8; 7:10-13


We all want to be successful in everything we do. When we fail despite our best efforts, God wants us to know that failing does not make us failures. What matters most is how we respond to our failure.

Joshua, the Israelite leader, felt like a failure when his army was defeated at the city of Ai. God said, “Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face?” (Joshua 7:10)

At the root of Joshua’s failure was the sin of Achan, the soldier whose sin was: “I saw; I coveted; I took.” He never considered the consequences. God’s Word shows us how to avoid the sin of Achan and Israel, and to transform your failure into fruitfulness.


Scriptural Principles:

1 We fail when we don’t consult God for our plan.
Joshua took the counsel of his spies rather than waiting upon the Lord. We seek God’s will by searching the Scriptures and asking, “Based upon the Word of God, what would He have me do?” Then we wait upon Him to confirm His counsel to avoid stepping ahead of Him. We must realize that God’s timing is essential.


2 Godly people with the right motivation will often fail.
Joshua was a godly man, one whom the Lord had called to lead the Israelites to their rightful home and heritage—but he failed. You and I might long for that day when we become so wise and so Spirit-filled that we no longer experience failure. That day will never come. Throughout the Bible we observe godly men and women who fail, so we must never be deluded into thinking we can avoid that disappointment.


3 The failure of one person can often bring harmful results to many people.
When a father fails, his family may suffer. When a national leader such as Joshua fails, his nation will suffer. It’s a mistake to think that your sin is simply a personal or private thing, because it is likely to have consequences that bring harm to others. We think, “I see, I covet, and I take,” but we fail to consider the consequences.


4 The counsel of others is never a wise substitute for the counsel of God.
It makes no difference who we trust or how godly they may be. There is no substitute for the counsel of Almighty God. We must be reading and meditating upon the Scriptures to address all our problems. Your time of study then needs to be followed by a time of prayer so that you can seek God’s guidance.


5 Past blessings do not guarantee tomorrow’s blessings.
Christians often fall into the trap of relaxing in their prayer life because they have just received a great victory from God. Joshua had experienced a powerful victory at the walls of Jericho because he followed God’s plan precisely. At Ai, fresh from that miracle, he was inattentive to the Lord and therefore brought about a defeat for his people. We cannot be successful today based on the obedience of yesterday.


6 Daily meditation and prayer are essential in avoiding failure.
God told Joshua, “Be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you” (Joshua 1:7). We must be careful to do the will of God. In most major areas of life, we already know His will. As for difficult decisions, He is willing to guide us clearly if we seek His guidance.


7 When facing failure, never give God the blame.
In a weak moment, Joshua shifted the blame to God rather than taking responsibility as God’s servant and Israel’s leader. It is never right to blame God who has no flaw or imperfection, rather we should give Him the glory for guiding us as we follow His will.


8 When facing failure, first look within rather than without.
People may blame their parents, their environment, their nature or some other scapegoat. Whatever challenges we have faced, we alone are responsible for the actions we take. The world’s greatest achievers are those who rise above their limitations and focus on action rather than the “blame game.”


9 When facing failure, discover the will of God and correct your action.
What should you do when failure occurs? Instead of blaming the Almighty, other people, or your circumstances, seek the mind of God. Find out where you strayed from the path and make the appropriate changes. The longer you delay, the more damaging the consequences will be. Be careful not to put off what God is telling you to do!


10 When facing failure, never reinterpret the will of God.
While failure is fresh and we feel pain,we may also feel a temptation to reevaluate God’s call. We think, “Maybe I was wrong about what God was telling me to do.” God has not changed His mind or His call simply because we encountered an obstacle or made a mistake. Joshua failed at Ai, but God’s call for him to lead Israel to possess Canaan had not changed.


11 When facing failure, prayer is not a substitute for action.
Joshua was in prayer, but God rebuked Him:“Rise up!” (Joshua 7:10) Prayer is essential and irreplaceable, but so is action. There is never a substitute for obeying God. No matter how many good works we perform, disobedience is never an option.


12 Failure is a time for faith rather than fear.
When you stumble, will you give up and turn away from God, or will you turn to Him with even greater dedication? The right response is to thank God for His forgiveness and His guidance, and let Him build our faith. He will offer us a second chance when we have failed, and we will discover that what seemed like a devastating setback was really an opportunity for growth.


Conclusion:

The Lord God wants to give you a fresh new opportunity today. Why remain mired in disappointment? Our awesome God forgives us freely. He calls us out of our wallowing in self-pity toward repentance and victory.

The greatest failure of all is the failure to rely wholly and unconditionally on the perfect and loving plan of Almighty God. Discover His will for your life and correct your actions. The Holy Spirit will provide the wisdom and power you need to leave those old obstacles behind. Move forward to a life that will glorify Him and provide you with all the joy your heart desires.

Part 1: Facing the Difficulties

Key Passage: Joshua 6:1-5
Supporting Scripture: Jeremiah 32:27; Isaiah 64:4; Joshua 5:1, 13-15; Joshua 1:2-9.


Have you encountered an obstacle in your life lately? Everyone runs into a difficult challenge every now and then. Some people become discouraged, hang their heads, and never realize that this is a blessing from God.

The truth is that God gives us strategies to deal with every obstacle we face. Joshua 6:1-5 helps us understand God’s plan for handling difficult times by following the principles of this Scripture passage.

God’s people, the Israelites, faced the obstacle of Jericho, a fortified city. God said,“See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors” (Joshua 6:1). He promised that the city would fall flat.


Scriptural Principles:

1 Everyone faces obstacles that seem insurmountable.
We may face health issues that present obstacles, financial difficulties in purchasing a home, or challenges to provide an education for our children. Every area of life, at some time, will present problems that make it seem impossible for us to reach our goals. It is easy to become discouraged and simply give up. However, God’s promises are very clear and very personal. When we know that a goal is part of His will, we can also know there is a way to achieve it.


2 Every obstacle we face is subject to the power of God.
Sometimes we look upon our obstacles and wonder when God will take action and give us the victory. We can remember this one awesome truth: that no challenge is greater than His power. No matter how great the problem may be, God is greater still. He has said,“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27) Throughout the Scriptures we find that with God, all things are possible.


3 We become discouraged about obstacles for three primary reasons.
First,we focus on the obstacle rather than on God.The longer we pay attention to a problem, the greater the problem seems. Only when our minds are set on God and His awesome power do we see the problem in its true perspective. Second,we focus on our own resources rather than those of God. Our goal seems impossible because we know our own limitations.Almighty God has no limitations, and His resources are infinite. Third,we focus on the obstruction rather than the opportunity. In the light of God’s perfect plan, every crisis is a new chance to glorify God.


4 God is at work in our obstacles even when we’re not aware of it.
It is always a mistake when we believe that God is not working.All the time His hand is moving, accomplishing His will on His schedule.The mature believer knows that it is enough to trust God to take care of our problems;we don’t have to see all that He does. He works deliberately, lovingly, and carefully to carry out His purposes in life. Isaiah 64:4 contains God’s promise that He “acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.” One of the wisest things we can do is to learn the principle of waiting upon the Lord.


5 God often requires some preparation on our part.
Joshua 5 describes the preparations that God commanded Israel to take before attacking Jericho. Sometimes He wants us to be obedient in some area.We need to hear from God and discover what He wants us to do. Sometimes He wants us to repent of some sin.There may be something in your life that you need to let God cleanse before He will remove the obstacle. Sometimes He wants to demonstrate His presence in some fashion. Like Joshua,we must learn to meditate so we can experience the miraculous presence of God.


6 God will give us assurance of the removal of these obstacles.
God assures us by speaking to our hearts. One of the primary works of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the will of the Father.The Spirit lives within us and guides us to walk in God’s will. Sometimes God will make His will crystal clear, while other times He will provide a little direction, gradually strengthening that guidance until we know His path. He tells us to take a step in a certain direction, then He waits for our obedience.


7 God will give us very clear instruction.
God did not tell Joshua to go create a battle plan; He delivered one in perfect detail. His plan is not general and vague, but specific and personal. He wants us to abide with Him so closely that we hear a clear Word from Him about His will for every day and every decision.We should never be afraid to ask God to guide us clearly and powerfully, for that is exactly what He wants to do in our lives.


8 What are the real reasons we refuse to do God’s will?
God’s guidance is so wonderful and His power is unlimited, so why do so many believers fail to depend upon Him every day? There are three principle reasons. First, it takes courage. Even when our faith is strong, we must be brave when we obey God and take our stand against the enemy. Three times God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous”(Joshua 1:2-9). Second, it takes patience.We must learn to wait upon the Lord, and trust in His timing.Third, it takes faith.We must learn to walk by faith and not by sight.


9 God will remove every obstacle that hinders His will and plan for your life.
We can have perfect faith that He will never fail us.When you make a complete commitment of your will to His, He may provide a test. He may remove something that you feel you must have.Will you have the faith to trust only in Him? Do you really believe that He will remove every obstacle, and that you need nothing else on earth but His presence and power? When we trust Him absolutely and with no reservations, we will see Him act powerfully and miraculously. We will know that with God, there is no obstacle.


Conclusion:

Are you willing to say to God,“Lord, today I surrender everything that is an obstacle to your plan”? Do you love Him enough to make that commitment?

It may be painful to allow God to remove your obstacle, but before long, you will look back and say,“Thank you, dear Lord, for not listening to me. If I’d had my own way, I would have missed the blessing.”

My challenge for you today is to ask yourself that very question. Discover the truth about whether you love and trust your Lord and Savior enough to surrender all that you have to Him. If the answer is yes, my friend, then you can simply watch Him work. He will perform miracle after miracle in your life.