fear.

FEAR. Yes I did just use that four letter word. Fear is a terrible emotion, that has the power to cripple you. Living in fear is an awful thing. Fear is a tool of the enemy to keep you from all that God has in store for you. 
Fear and faith cannot coexist. when you are in fear your faith is null and void. If you want to live in the victory that God has for you, overcoming fear is key. 
It is easier said than done. I know that I have let fear keep me from great things. I have passed on many opportunities all because I was afraid. I almost let fear keep me from marrying Michael. I was convinced that our marriage would fail because my first marriage was a hot mess. I had my mind made up that marriage was an awful thing. It took lots of prayer and long talks with my father for me to see that my first marriage was something I did that was out of the will of God. I had to see that Michael was part of God's plan for my life. How many of you today are allowing fear to keep you from the great future that God has in store for you? 
I have heard it said that the Bible says "fear not" more than 365 times, one scripture for everyday of the year. I'm not certain how many times it says it, but I do know it's a lot. So many of us live in fear, there is the fear that you'll never be good enough, the fear of failure, the fear of lack, the fear of sickness, and that general fear that whatever you do is just going to have a bad outcome. Fear is like poison it gets inside of you and just eats away at you until you have no hope or faith left. It destroys your ability to trust and believe God. I notice that people who try to figure everything out on their own often live in fear. Their minds can not handle all the variables of life. That is the first way to step out of a life of fear. You have to recognize that you were not created to figure everything out for yourself. That is what God is for. He created us, He has a plan for us. Our job is to trust and obey Him. We need to allow God to be God. You're not God, you cannot handle all that this life holds, but He can. Instead of being bound by fear and a prisoner to your circumstances,  give it to God. Ask Him for help, He will show you ways to handle situations that you never thought of before, He will open doors of opportunity that you never even knew were there, He will bring people into your life that will build you up and support you, He will make a way where you thought there was no way. In order for you to have God move in your life you have to trade your fear for faith. Faith is like a muscle the more you use it the stronger it becomes.  
Isaiah 41:10 says 
Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.  
When you step out of fear He will straighten you to walk in faith, when you're weary He will uphold you. You will have the victory. 
Today you can make up your mind that you are no longer going to be tormented by fear. You can silence your mind, and allow your heart to believe what God says about your circumstances.  You might be saying you have no idea all that I am dealing with. You're right, I don't, but God does. He has the answer to all of your problems, He's simply waiting on you to step out of your fear and put your faith in Him. You have the choice to continue to live in torment or to step into the rest and trust God. 
Joel 2:21 says 
Fear not, my people; be glad now and rejoice, for he has done amazing things for you.
Right there God's Word tells you what you're supposed to do, how to step out of the fear you are living in. "Be glad NOW and rejoice" although your situation might seem helpless rejoice and be glad , thank him in advance that you walk in victory. Notice the last part of the scripture "he HAS done amazing things for you". It's already done, before you ever had that issue, God already dealt with it. You now have to make the choice. Are you going to claim your miracle? Are you going to step into faith? Are you going to thank Him that he is working everything out on your behalf? Are you going to stop being a figure it outer, and be the believer you are meant to be? Today let's rid ourselves of fear. I know you can do it. 
Know that you are loved. I believe goodness,  mercy and favor surround you everywhere that you go. Have a wonderful Sunday. 
A:)