Even during very difficult and confusing times we have Jesus in our corner… and hopefully really good friends too that will support and pray for us to continue to press into every single thing the Lord is wanting us to press into.
1) The battle of Fear VS Power, Love, and Self-discipline
2 Timothy 1:7 >> "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
· Where there is fear, God is not
· Timidity is defined as "fear of the unknown" or "unfamiliar or fear of making decisions"
· Power = influence or authority in the name of Jesus
· Love = warm affection or devotion for the ways of the kingdom and for His people
· Self-discipline = Doing the things Jesus is calling us to do and likewise NOT doing the things we should not do.
2) Don’t Loose Heart:
"Sometimes when we are in our darkest hour, all we can see is the dark. We can not see God at work, shining His light into our darkness" - Author Unknown
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 >> “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 >> "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
Ephesians 6:12 >> "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
3) Even after “X,Y, & Z” ... we will be confident in Jesus:
Psalm 27:1-3 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, [a] when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
4) Encourage One Another & Carry Each Other’s Burdens:
1 Thessalonians 5:11 >> “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Galatians 6:2 >> “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Final Thoughts:
When things are hard, discouraging, confusing, or even frustrating we CAN have things turn around when we focus on what really matters.
1) Cast out all Fear and walk in Power, Love, and Self-discipline
2) Fix our eyes on Jesus and battle spiritually… not focus on the storm around us.
3) Be confident in His plans for our lives, regardless of circumstances
4) Real relationships are cyclical in their encouraging, building up, and carrying burdens
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