My husband and I entered a home accents store, looking for some decorative pieces for our new home. As soon as we started browsing, I stopped at a session filled with beautiful frames containing pictures, some with funny or inspiring words.

Maybe it is a writer’s natural tendency, but my eyes linger a bit longer in frames with witty or inspirational words when I visit such stores. My house is full of them.

That day was no different. As I entered one of the aisles, a lonely, unpretentious poster, held by a plain gray frame, caught my attention. The simple words, neatly printed in black handwriting style on a white background, brought a smile to my face — the truth behind the simple message hitting a chord with this once fearful, insecure girl:

“What if I fall? Oh, but darling, what if you fly?”

The words made me think of how often fear prevents us from fulfilling our destiny and watching God work in miraculous ways. I know it too well.

Fear prevents us from fulfilling our destiny and watching God work in miraculous ways. @AJC #FearNot #believe #faithoverfear #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional
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Fear is real. It is a natural response for seasoned believers, as much as it is for the youngest in the faith.

We find one of the most known verses in Scripture in the first chapter of the book of Joshua:

“Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble and be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We read Joshua’s story in the books of Exodus, Deuteronomy, Numbers, and the book bearing his name.

Joshua had been with Moses as God empowered Israel’s leader to accomplish the impossible. Repeatedly, he watched as God honored Moses’ faith and took care of his people. Then Moses died, and Joshua found himself leading the challenge to take possession of the Promised Land.

According to the 12 spies sent earlier to survey the surroundings (including Joshua himself), mighty giants awaited across the Jordan. They were bigger, their army stronger than Israel’s. And yet, God’s words were clear: Do Not Be Afraid. Go Get Them.

Joshua knew and trusted his God, but as we read the beginning of his book, we find God encouraging Joshua with the words “be strong and courageous” four times in the first chapter alone. There is no doubt that fear gripped the new leader’s heart as he contemplated the battle ahead.

Fear is indeed the father of many failures. Fear of conflict, fear of shame, fear of rejection, fear that God will leave us alone, and our prayers unanswered. Fear exaggerates the problems, hates the tasks ahead of us, and postpones obedience. Fear says we should not jump because we may fall.

Fear exaggerates the problems, hates the tasks ahead of us, and postpones obedience. Fear says we should not jump because we may fall. @AJC #FearNot #believe #faithoverfear #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional
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But we cannot easily count the “fear not’s” in the Bible. At first glance, they may come across as mere soothing words to those distressed by overwhelming circumstances. But in most cases, the “fear not’s” are not meant to be simply calming words. Instead, they are intended to be a faith challenge, a call to fight, or spread our wings and jump into the unknown.

The test is similar to what young birds face when they are ready to start testing their wings. It undoubtedly fears the vast abyss ahead, and sometimes the mother bird must push them out of the nest. As she does, she knows it too well — the air is not nearly as insubstantial as it seems — and her baby will soon learn that its wings were designed to work with the air to provide support. But even if they fail, one of the parents will come to its rescue and carry the baby bird to safety on its strong wings.

The same happens in our lives — we often cannot see where God’s paths lead us, and fear threatens to overcome us when we do not know what lies ahead. When that happens, we can choose to shrink in fear and live a mediocre life … or decide to say yes to God’s charge to conquer the impossible and stand in awe as He delivers His supernatural best.

Whatever giant or challenge you may be facing, remember that “Fear Not” is one of the most repeated principles in Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation.

Be strong and courageous! The same God, who was with Moses and Joshua, is going into battle with you. You can move into the giant’s territory with the confidence that God will fight your battles.

Be strong and courageous! The same God, who was with Moses and Joshua, is going into battle with you. You can move into the giant’s territory with the confidence that God will fight your battles.
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And if it’s fear of spreading your wings and taking a leap of faith to do something God told you to do, maybe it is time to jump off the side of the mountain with confidence, because God designed you to soar.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, July 15th, 2021. Click HERE to read it on the AJC’s website.

The post A Leap of Faith Can Make You Soar {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

The two men looked at each other, incredulous. They watched as Moses and Aaron fell face down in front of the assembly, a sign of their great distress.

Without a word, the two spies torn their garments, grieving over the disbelief that spread in the camp. They heard loud cries coming from everywhere, and could not believe their ears at the sound of the same old complaints:

“If only we had died in Egypt!”

“We can’t defeat them. We will all die in Canaan!”

“Let us choose a new leader to take us back to Egypt!”

They had been set free from bondage and watched as God delivered and protected them through a series of miraculous events. Now, with the Promised Land at arm’s reach, they refused to trust and obey. They gave ears to the reports from the ten skeptical spies who returned with a bad report, instead of trusting God’s words that echoed from Caleb and Joshua’s lips.

I can only imagine what went through the foursome’s minds. Moses, Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, watching the multitude of Jews denying God’s promise, anguished by the decision of the majority… knowing that there would be serious consequences for their stubborn disbelief.

You know the story: As consequence of their rebellious and faithless spirits, the entire nation is left to wander in circles through the wilderness for 40 years.  Every Jew, 20 years old and up, died without entering God’s Promise Land. A whole generation missed God’s best… and never entered His rest.

The tragic account is told in detail in Numbers 13-14.

Later, as the younger generation led by Joshua entered Canaan, it was just a matter of time before the sins of the fathers crept into their children’s hearts. Unbelief, idolatry and ingratitude ooze from the pages of the historical books in the Old Testament, as God’s people tested His lovingkindness all the way to captivity. Déjà vu.

I just finished a long and detailed study of the Old Testament’s historical books. For over a year, I have studied the Jews’ behavior towards God, and the nation’s spiritual ups and downs. I have marveled at the miracles afresh, and shook my head at their blunt disobedience and lack of faith. Every account brought me either joy… or conviction, as I was reminded of how much Israel’s history mirrors my own.

I wish I could tell you I have come to a place where unbelief is never a problem anymore… or that idols don’t still try to creep in, clouding my devotion to the Savior.

But you know better.

You know it, because you are Israel too. We all are.

We have watched the waters part before us… and then wondered whether God could defeat the next giant.

We have feasted on Mana until our bellies were full… and then complained that it was not as tasty as the fruit we ate as slaves in Egypt.

We have longed for the pleasures of Egypt, while forgetting they cost our peace and freedom.

We have melted our golden calves, just to turn our hearts to idols of clay.

We have left Egypt… and then sinned our way to captivity again.

We have believed, and then doubted… obeyed, and then rebelled. Up… and down… and then up once more.

Seesaw religion.

Can you relate, my friend? Do you still often find yourself on a spiritual seesaw, feeling like Daddy’s first grader, all over again?

It may be a stronghold that you thought you had mastered… or a temptation that creeps into your mind more often than you wish to admit.

It may be a task that you know you are unqualified to carry out… or unforgiveness that keeps you anchored to the wilderness of defeat.

Or maybe you allow discouragement to take a hold of your heart, as Satan uses naysayers to make you feel inadequate and weak.

Today you are up… tomorrow you are down.

Seesaw Faith. E.x.h.a.u.s.t.i.n.g.

Are you tired yet? I know I was.

If you are there, I would like to challenge you with this mighty Truth: Our loving Father is ever near, prodding our hearts to come back to Him.

It wasn’t God who abandoned Israel. It was Israel who turned their hearts from following Him, every single time. And yet, each time they repented, cried out and chose to obey and trust Him, Yahweh rejoiced in restoring their relationship, planting their feet on the Land Flowing with Milk and Honey again.

That’s the great Grace of God – Grace that invites us to start over with a clean slate.
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On the other hand, so long as we allow the bad reports, the giants of fear, the tentacles of sin and unbelief, or the opinions of others to steal our peace or make us stumble, we will never graduate from the elementary school of Seesaw Faith.

We will never enter His rest.

But today, His Amazing Grace cries out to you and me:

Do not harden your hearts as when they (the Jews) provoked me (Hebrews 3:15-19.) Instead, trust me… Believe in Me… Obey me…

Let My Words drown the giants, the fears, the appetites. Bring them all into submission to the knowledge of whom You are in Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
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Forgiven. Righteous. Strong. Beloved. That’s how I see you. 

So, enter My rest. For the Work and the battle are Mine, and Mine alone.

Your only job is to rest in Me.

The post Lord, Save Me from Seesaw Faith! appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.