Get Out of Your Own Way

Fear of the unknown hindered me from stepping out on faith for a very long time. I was fearful of putting myself out there to be judged and questioned by people. For months, the pessimistic and what if I failed thoughts, played like slow violins in my head. I was so afraid to step out of the shadows where I had become comfortable and complacent in blending in, working my 9-5, when that was never all God intended for my life.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” With that statement alone, you are able to clearly identify that fear is not of God, but the devil knows if he plants seeds of fear in your mind, it will distract you from your destiny and the promises of your Heavenly Father. You will become so consumed with the tricks of the enemy in your idol time, that the promises of God and the vision He has placed on the inside of you, will die. Leaving you to no longer be concerned with the dreams or goals you once pressed towards and fought to achieve.

But how do you counteract this fight with the devil? It’s simple, he has no power! The enemy cannot defeat you in a battle that you’ve already won. You’ve won because Jesus Christ won. You’ve won because over and over again, the Bible states that you are victorious. The person you must conquer is you; your thoughts, your inner turmoil, and your fears.

I’ve always heard the thought, it’s easier to think negative than it is positive. Unfortunately, while this statement may be partially true, accomplishing the task is not impossible. How do I know? Because I use to be that person, I would disguise my negative thinking in the words, “I’m just being realistic” or “I’m reminding you of the reality in the situation” not understanding how pessimistic my train of thought could truly be during moments of adversity. I always found unique ways to make a half full glass be half empty instead. But the truth of the matter is, all of my “realistic” thinking were just different ways of me masking my fears.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) so eloquently states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” It was that verse alone that helped me completely shift my viewpoint on many situations in life. I forced a change in my perspective by repeating Jeremiah 29:11 in moments of adversity, confusion, and even misunderstandings amongst myself; keyword, MYSELF! Again, the devil cannot defeat you when you’ve already won. So to better answer the previously mentioned question of, how do you counteract this fight with the devil, you speak the Word of God over your life. Actively and intentionally speaking the Word of God over your life cancels and supersedes all tricks of the enemy. Now, this does not mean what you fear or view in a “realistic” light will go away but it does mean that you must learn where and how to execute your power and your energy.

In case you are unaware, you do have power (Proverbs 18:21)! For each negative and fearful thought, work intentionally to shift your perspective and counteract what seems unfavorable with positivity and most importantly, the Word of God. Find your freedom, and you will find your destiny!

Originally posted here