It seems this week I have encountered several occasions where I was speaking to someone about the differences between fear and faith.  We face this dragon of fear in so many areas of life!  Fear was the reason the servant who had only one talent hid his. He was afraid of the wrath of the master if he lost his one talent, therefore, he hid it. Fear was the reason Peter denied Christ. Fear was the reason Abraham told Sarah to say she was his sister.  Fear was the reason Elijah hid in a cave just after having called fire down from heaven. You see, friend, you are not alone!  God shared with us in His Word about some of the fears of the most righteous men who ever lived.  I think He did that to let us know that, no matter how strong we are in the Lord, fear is something we must daily battle.  The biggest problem is not how many times you experience fear, but what you do about it.  In Revelation 21:8, there is a list of all those who are going to have their part in the lake of fire. The fearful is number one on the list! The reason is because fear is the absolute opposite of faith and the Bible says, “without faith, no man shall see God!” The enemy knows this and even though his ability to touch our lives is limited by God, he can certainly make us think we are on the brink of defeat and despair.

I want to encourage you today. For one week, every time you feel fear grip you, for whatever reason, stop, recognize what is happening, and choose faith instead. It could be fear over money problems, marital problems, children problems, family problems, job problems, health problems, anything that has come into your life to shake your foundation.  When you feel your heart begin to race, your palms begin to sweat, and that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, do this:  imagine what the situation would be if this problem were solved.  Start setting your sights on the solution instead of the problem.  The Bible says, “Write the vision.  Make it plain upon the tables, so that he that runs may read it.” Keep a daily prayer book or journal. Write down the solution you see. Jesus may not choose to solve your problem exactly as you write it down, but you will be focusing on a solution instead of a problem.  Then, find some praise and worship music to play.  As you listen to the faith told through the music, your own faith will be increased. You will find very soon that your heart has stopped racing and you are at peace once again.  You may have to do this several times a day, but it’s better than taking medication. If you don’t have any praise music in your home, click on my website, you will find some there!  God bless you. Go in peace!