The
morning had started simply enough on that Thursday last week. Somewhere in the
interval between my quiet time and morning workout however, I was suddenly
assailed with very intense thoughts of death and my dying. I was set to make a
trip later that day and so you can imagine that I didn’t need to have those
sorts of thoughts filling my mind on that morning. I pushed them aside much as
I could, but it was such a strong assault that I then took it up in prayer. As I
prayed, God reminded me of some things that He had very clearly spoken and
confirmed to me as relate to His direction, purpose and assignments for my
life. He reminded me that He is not a God of idle words, and that as
He had spoken those things to me they would surely come to pass. He reminded me that
He alone has the power of life and death, and that the length of my days is in
His hands alone. Standing in that one spot I felt an overflow of His peace and
I laughed aloud at the devil as he was once again put to shame and exposed for
the liar that he truly is.
morning had started simply enough on that Thursday last week. Somewhere in the
interval between my quiet time and morning workout however, I was suddenly
assailed with very intense thoughts of death and my dying. I was set to make a
trip later that day and so you can imagine that I didn’t need to have those
sorts of thoughts filling my mind on that morning. I pushed them aside much as
I could, but it was such a strong assault that I then took it up in prayer. As I
prayed, God reminded me of some things that He had very clearly spoken and
confirmed to me as relate to His direction, purpose and assignments for my
life. He reminded me that He is not a God of idle words, and that as
He had spoken those things to me they would surely come to pass. He reminded me that
He alone has the power of life and death, and that the length of my days is in
His hands alone. Standing in that one spot I felt an overflow of His peace and
I laughed aloud at the devil as he was once again put to shame and exposed for
the liar that he truly is.
Iwas at work a couple of hours later when I got a text message from one of my
sistas asking ‘Did you hear about the plane crash? Where are you?’ I responded
to say I was fine and that my flight was slated for much later in the day. I
then went online to check what had happened. There it was! Another plane crash
and several other lives lost. Immediately I said to my husband, ‘I am not going
on this trip’. I said the same to a couple of my sistas who called to verify
that I was nowhere near the airport. I am sure you can relate with my reaction.
We had a major crash last year in which I lost people I grew up with, people I
knew well. My decision also seemed like common sense in view of where I had been
earlier that morning. My mind tried to tell me that the reason I had those
thoughts of death that morning was that if I boarded that plane later that day,
it would also crash.
Yes
sis, fear came back masked as common sense and reason. There had been one air
incident/near–miss or the other too many this year. A couple of
well-respected men of God had prophesied air crashes this year. On and on the
negative thoughts donned on the garb of reason and played on my mind and
emotions. Eventually I had the sense to go into prayer and God simply reminded
me of His assurances earlier that morning. He also reminded me of something my
husband says so often – that on the day the Lord has appointed for a person to
die, if he/she was slated to die by drowning and knowing this chose not to go
swimming; he/she would drown drinking a glass of water. I smiled as I thought
about this and as once again a peace flooded over me, off I went to the
airport. I probably don’t need to tell you that the flights to and fro were
remarkably smooth. As I walked back into my home the next evening, it struck me
just how easily I would have missed out on a key assignment I had to deliver on
if I had allowed myself hold that fear – no matter how ”commonsensical” it seemed
at the time based on the physical, above the things God had spoken to me.
sis, fear came back masked as common sense and reason. There had been one air
incident/near–miss or the other too many this year. A couple of
well-respected men of God had prophesied air crashes this year. On and on the
negative thoughts donned on the garb of reason and played on my mind and
emotions. Eventually I had the sense to go into prayer and God simply reminded
me of His assurances earlier that morning. He also reminded me of something my
husband says so often – that on the day the Lord has appointed for a person to
die, if he/she was slated to die by drowning and knowing this chose not to go
swimming; he/she would drown drinking a glass of water. I smiled as I thought
about this and as once again a peace flooded over me, off I went to the
airport. I probably don’t need to tell you that the flights to and fro were
remarkably smooth. As I walked back into my home the next evening, it struck me
just how easily I would have missed out on a key assignment I had to deliver on
if I had allowed myself hold that fear – no matter how ”commonsensical” it seemed
at the time based on the physical, above the things God had spoken to me.
And
fear is no joke is it sis? It can be quite crippling and has nothing really to
do with rationality. Fear is like an octopus that has metal hooks on each of
its suckers – once it hooks on it sinks deep and hangs tight. Fear is the one
thing that literally makes the smallest of situations look like the most insurmountable of
mountains. As we look at what appears to be before us, we are paralyzed and
unable to move, run in the very opposite direction, or at best make some feeble
attempt at moving. On that day my fear was about getting on a flight, but you
and I know that fear presents in different ways, different situations, and on different
realms – physical/ emotional/ spiritual/ financial/ psychological, etc. There
is only one thing that shakes off fear – and that is trust in the Word of God
and the power of the Holy Spirit. The challenge is that a lot of the time we
cooperate more with fear than with the Holy Spirit Who is desperately trying to
renew our minds, and we then allow fear to literally build mountains out of our
molehills.
fear is no joke is it sis? It can be quite crippling and has nothing really to
do with rationality. Fear is like an octopus that has metal hooks on each of
its suckers – once it hooks on it sinks deep and hangs tight. Fear is the one
thing that literally makes the smallest of situations look like the most insurmountable of
mountains. As we look at what appears to be before us, we are paralyzed and
unable to move, run in the very opposite direction, or at best make some feeble
attempt at moving. On that day my fear was about getting on a flight, but you
and I know that fear presents in different ways, different situations, and on different
realms – physical/ emotional/ spiritual/ financial/ psychological, etc. There
is only one thing that shakes off fear – and that is trust in the Word of God
and the power of the Holy Spirit. The challenge is that a lot of the time we
cooperate more with fear than with the Holy Spirit Who is desperately trying to
renew our minds, and we then allow fear to literally build mountains out of our
molehills.
The
morning after I returned from that trip, the Lord spoke something to me through
Zechariah 4. First, He showed me in verse 7 that whereas fear makes mountains
out of molehills, He is in the business of making molehills out of mountains
and that as we cry ‘Grace’ to those mountains before us, He will also bring forth
out of them the very foundation stones that we need for the new levels that He
is has purposed to take us to. I turned this over in my mind for a while and
then I got it. God is grace! God gives grace! Verses 3 & 6 of Zech 4 let us
know that a ceaseless supply of grace – by the power of the Holy Spirit is
available to s,; and this is where the battle is won – not in our might or
power, but by the Spirit of the Lord and the grace that He continuously
releases unto us. God
confirmed to me in verse 9, that when He has spoken something to us and we obediently
and diligently move and begin to lay the foundation thereof, He will keep us to
finish the assignment. This fulfillment is however hinged on a clear understanding
of the grace that is upon our lives, and our boldly speaking this same grace to
the various mountains that try to pose as obstacles to our fulfilling our
God-given assignments. Remember that our victory is through faith, by grace!
morning after I returned from that trip, the Lord spoke something to me through
Zechariah 4. First, He showed me in verse 7 that whereas fear makes mountains
out of molehills, He is in the business of making molehills out of mountains
and that as we cry ‘Grace’ to those mountains before us, He will also bring forth
out of them the very foundation stones that we need for the new levels that He
is has purposed to take us to. I turned this over in my mind for a while and
then I got it. God is grace! God gives grace! Verses 3 & 6 of Zech 4 let us
know that a ceaseless supply of grace – by the power of the Holy Spirit is
available to s,; and this is where the battle is won – not in our might or
power, but by the Spirit of the Lord and the grace that He continuously
releases unto us. God
confirmed to me in verse 9, that when He has spoken something to us and we obediently
and diligently move and begin to lay the foundation thereof, He will keep us to
finish the assignment. This fulfillment is however hinged on a clear understanding
of the grace that is upon our lives, and our boldly speaking this same grace to
the various mountains that try to pose as obstacles to our fulfilling our
God-given assignments. Remember that our victory is through faith, by grace!
Speaking
grace is an expression of utmost confidence in the God that we serve for Whom
nothing is impossible. I really want you to get this into your spirit sis, and so
these are my questions for you today:
grace is an expression of utmost confidence in the God that we serve for Whom
nothing is impossible. I really want you to get this into your spirit sis, and so
these are my questions for you today:
· What
has the Lord spoken to you that you have been too afraid to move on?
has the Lord spoken to you that you have been too afraid to move on?
· What
dream has He put in your heart, the size of which has near paralyzed you in
fear?
dream has He put in your heart, the size of which has near paralyzed you in
fear?
· What
are those mountains that you see that are blocking your walking in your
assignment?
are those mountains that you see that are blocking your walking in your
assignment?
· What
is your mountain speaking to you sis? — I’m too young! I’m too old! I’m too fat! I’m
too tall! I’m too short! I don’t have enough money! I don’t know the right
people! People will laugh! It’s never been done before! It’s impossible! What
if I fail? I don’t know where to start! I will probably make a mess of it! This
kind of success doesn’t come from/to someone like me! What sis? What?
is your mountain speaking to you sis? — I’m too young! I’m too old! I’m too fat! I’m
too tall! I’m too short! I don’t have enough money! I don’t know the right
people! People will laugh! It’s never been done before! It’s impossible! What
if I fail? I don’t know where to start! I will probably make a mess of it! This
kind of success doesn’t come from/to someone like me! What sis? What?
Whatis your mountain speaking to you? Can I tell you today that it doesn’t matter
anymore? God is asking today that you shut down the voice of your mountain and flip
things around by the power of the Holy Spirit. Open your mouth and speak ‘Grace’
to your mountain sis. Laugh at your mountain and declare it to be the molehill that
God says it is. Don’t pretend your mountain is not there, no; for indeed sometimes
it is very evidently there for the eye to see and we need to be real about this.
But God is asking that you look at your mountain with the eyes of the Spirit today
and not with your physical eyes. God is asking today if you can make a choice
to stay in faith and to trust His immutable and irrefutable Word. He is asking
you to truly trust His Word that every mountain you face will be made a plain –
level ground on which you can walk comfortably into the place of purpose and fulfillment.
Can you see it sis? Can you choose today to cooperate with God in faith rather
than cooperating with the enemy in fear?
Choose
faith today sis! Choose to believe God! In this place of faith, ask the Lord to
release grace unto you sis. Ask Him for grace to see the answer, to know the
next step, and for grace to re-establish a full confidence in your God Who
speaks and it is done. Give your fears to God again sis. Don’t deny them. This is
not the message. Indeed you need to identify very clearly what your particular
fear(s) is(are) regarding anything God has called you to do. And when you have
put a name to that fear, ask it to bow to the Name that is above every other
name. Speak ‘Grace’ to your mountain sis. You will amazed at the awesomeness
that grace has in store for those of God’s children who choose to walk in it. I’m
looking forward to hearing your testimonies as you walk by grace into destiny sis.
The Lord will help you sis. He will help me.
faith today sis! Choose to believe God! In this place of faith, ask the Lord to
release grace unto you sis. Ask Him for grace to see the answer, to know the
next step, and for grace to re-establish a full confidence in your God Who
speaks and it is done. Give your fears to God again sis. Don’t deny them. This is
not the message. Indeed you need to identify very clearly what your particular
fear(s) is(are) regarding anything God has called you to do. And when you have
put a name to that fear, ask it to bow to the Name that is above every other
name. Speak ‘Grace’ to your mountain sis. You will amazed at the awesomeness
that grace has in store for those of God’s children who choose to walk in it. I’m
looking forward to hearing your testimonies as you walk by grace into destiny sis.
The Lord will help you sis. He will help me.
Be
blessed sis…..for you surely are!
blessed sis…..for you surely are!
Hmm, powerful message sis. Audrey. Fear can cripple the nimblest of people and hinder them from taking decisive actions that can help move them forward.I bless God for the resources available in God to help us overcome fear and move forward into our desired haven. Thanks for sharing.
Salt to 'Mountain': You are nothing but a molehill in the hands of my PapaGod! I laugh in your face *mwuahahahaha mwuahahahaha!'. This minute I receive my fresh dose of GRACE for today in Jesus name. Amen! It is well with me and mine and fear shall not have rule over me!
Thanks Audrey…Always on point……Bottom line? Fear is tantamount to telling God 'im no fit'. Haba? We know better, right?