Faith vs. Fear
Creflo A. Dollar
Dear Tiffany,
I have been praying for you, and found this fantastic article, and thought of you. I am sending it to you. I will pray that God speaks to your heart through this wonderful message.
I am behind you all the way, girl!!! (You may not remember me…Karen, Lonnie’s daughter…Your mom’s cousin, Your Grandma’s niece) I can’t wait to see you this summer.
Know you are loved and you have an army of prayer warriors in your path!
Love,
Karen Eve Tinnes
Many people think fear is a normal and acceptable part of life. I've even heard some people say, "There's nothing wrong with having just a little fear." Nothing could be further from the truth. Fear is anything but normal. From a natural perspective, fear is associated with simply being afraid. But spiritually speaking, fear is actually twisted faith. It is having faith in the devil and what he can do, rather than having faith in God and His Word.
Fear isn't just a feeling, it's a force. The Word of God defines fear as a spirit that doesn't come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). To live in fear sets you up for disaster because just like faith will connect you to the promises of God, fear will connect you to the things you fear. When you operate from a position of fear, you actually position yourself to receive the very things you are afraid of.
In examining fear and its impact on your life, it is important to consider words and their creative power. Words are spiritual containers that carry either faith or fear. Words of faith are encouraging, hopeful and in line with the Word of God. On the other hand, words of fear are full of doubt, unbelief, dread and despair. Fear–filled words go against what God has said in His Word and will cancel out the good things that He has planned for your life.
It is critical that you align your words with the Word if you want to override the spirit of fear when it tries to attack you. Faith–filled words empower God to move on your behalf.
Fear is designed to stop you from experiencing all that God has promised you in His Word, but the good news is that He has already delivered you from it. If you are in relationship with God, you don't have to be ruled by any type of fear.
Hebrews 2:14, 15 says, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Fear is the primary tool Satan uses to destroy people's lives. But the ability of the enemy has been annihilated by Jesus Christ. You are no longer subject to fear.
There is a way to flush fear out of your life if you find yourself struggling with it. The key is walking in the love of God and allowing His love to mature in your life. First John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." Every time you walk in love toward others (1 Corinthians 13) and maintain a consciousness of God's love for you, you kick fear out.
Once you get the fear out of your life, your faith "receiver" will be free and clear of all interference. You will then be able to believe God for His promises without hindrances. Allowing the love of God to rise in you will support your faith and position you to receive the blessings of God—healing, deliverance, safety, provision and financial increase.
In the midst of life's trials, refuse fear. I don't care what is going on around you. Resist fear with everything in you. Confess the Word of God over your situation until you begin to see things change. Stand firm on the Scriptures which will help to build your faith. Begin to praise God for what He has already done for you. Have confidence in God and His Word and don't let fear contaminate your faith.
16 comments:
WHEW! Is this good or what! I think the last paragraph tells us HOW to conquer fear. This teaching from Creflo Dollar really helped me as I hope it will help all of you.
Love,
Karen
http://www.creflodollarministries.org
I do wish that I could take words such as these and make them a reality in my life. I would LOVE to be free of all fear. Fear DOES hold yu in bondage. I will read this over many times, Karen, and maybe something will click!
This is so good, Karen. Thank you for sharing it here with us! I wish, too, that I could get over fears I have - especially of travelling down the interstates and traffic. Winter highways scare me to death! And high mountain roads are really hard for me. I know the driver is a good one, and I know the Lord is with us. I pray for Jesus to send His angels to guard and protect us. And I KNOW He hears my prayer and answers. So why do I have this fear? I will also read this over and over and I will continue to work on this awful fear I have. I think when I read that fear is twisted faith, that opened my ears. But, when you think about it, it does cancel out faith. Faith means God is there. So, why am I fearful? It's probably a "I'm not in control" issue? I need to re-examine my faith in God being in control, not me!
Wow, Mom, you really nailed it! We are human and God gave us free will. I think it is our free will that allows us to fear instead of have faith. I am fearful of so many things, and have to tell myself that it is not the spirit of God to be fearful. And as Joyce Meyer says, "You're afraid? SO!, Do it afraid!" I always think I have faith until I face something fearful, and then my faith is tested. It is easier to be fearful because it is something I have always done. So, time to change the old habits, with God's help of course!!!
Right ON, Karen!
You go girl. I find it hard to put my thoughts into words and you did a wonderful job.
Welcome to "Blessings From Ablog", Angie, and thanks for posting a comment and picture. I looked you up on your profile. You sound so cool. It says even that you follow this blog. Thank you.
We haven't heard a word from Tiffany in such a long time. She had come to Tacoma for a visit one weekend and didn't go back to the shelter when she was supposed to. They booted her out; but told here she could call in 30 days to re-enter the programs. She's disappeared - again. She was doing so well, and now she is gone. Well, I know in my heart that she truly did find God while in this program and I know He won't let her go forever. I am praying that she can call on her new-found faith and come against the evil one to find her way back to Jesus. I don't know if I am really angry with Tiffany or really afraid for her. Both, I guess.
YES she needs our prayers of protection. Meth is the grips of the devil. I pray the right people come into her life to lead her to the Lord and to "freedom" once an for all. I pray Jesus will send her angels of protection. He loves her so much!
Funny how I ended up here today - I should be working in the yard, stamping, cleaning, or any number of a million things, and here I sit, having a glass of wine, a bowl of popcorn (with butter) and reading here for the first time in ... forever. Anyway, I find it interesting too, that today, I sent my counselor an email (which I have never done in my entire 50 years of living) and expressed my fear - for my job and from my supervisor, and the history of how things went. I was scared to send the email for fear of her thinking I should come in instead. (I just went day before yesterday). I realized that the situation I am in, I have to express my fears and make them known or I will forever be considered weak in my job. I chickened out today, but maybe next week, with a newfound definition.
We continue to pray for Tiffany. God knows where she is, and for sure HE will bring her back. And I know, as you do, Sharon, that she knows God is real and has that personal relationship with Jesus. I know HE never gives up on her and she will find her way back. She just will!
Janet, you are such a good person, please hang in there and don't be afraid. (Easy for me to say!huh?) Know that you are loved by a whole lot of people and especially by God. Hang on through the bad times, rejoice extra much when you reach the other side of the troubles! I love you, dear neice.
Hello All, I too have been gone from reading this Blog in a long time. I thought since Mom was out of town, that no one would write in here and I was wrong. This is a good topic to think about - fear. We all them, don't we? It is hard sometimes to know what God wants us to do. Show me a sign. Then, you look for the signs and wonder if you are just missing them. God has a plan for all of us. We just have to know when to take action and when not to. If the devil would mind his own damn business, we could see through all the crap. There is so much beauty in the world, and so many miracles in the works. We have to keep our eyes and minds open to those, stay positive, keep praying, and keep on going.
Ah yes, fear. I suffer from anxiety. An unhealthy amount of it. I consider myself a mature Christian, yet -- I suffer from anxiety, post-traumatic disorder syndrome, depression (all fear based diseases, or Satan based diseases.) I hate to admit my weakness, but it's true. Thank you for the reminder of what it's REALLY about Karen. I'll go back to the drawing board with these problems.
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