You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

— Isaiah 26:3 (AMPC)

Galatians 6:10 (AMPC) says, …Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith…. Second Corinthians 10:5 speaks of casting down imaginations and every high and lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. In other words, keep (set) your mind on God’s promises and on what is relevant to His plan for your life.

We must keep moving forward and not be stuck in our situation by negative thinking. Don’t let your mind be taken captive by the enemy. Instead, lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 AMPC). Decide to be a blessing to everyone you meet today. Forgive anyone who has hurt you and leave unresolved circumstances in God’s hands. Don’t use today to relive yesterday. Say, “I am moving forward today, in Jesus’ name.”

Prayer of the Day: Lord Jesus, thank You for helping me take any negative thoughts captive. Help me be a blessing wherever I go, and to every person I meet. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.

— Deuteronomy 30:19 (AMPC)

When God begins to deal with us about wrong behavior, it’s easy enough to say, “I can’t help it,” but it takes real courage and faith to say, “I’m ready to take responsibility and get my life straightened out.”

Avoidance, which is not facing issues, is a major problem. Wrong things don’t go away just because we refuse to acknowledge them. We often stuff things away. We hide from them, and when we do, they have power over us. Issues buried alive never die.

For many years, I refused to deal with the sexual abuse in my childhood. My father had abused me, so I left home the week I turned 18 years old. I thought I was getting away from the problem by leaving, but I didn’t realize I had the problem in my soul. It was in my thoughts, attitudes and words. It affected my actions and all my relationships. I had buried my past and stuffed my stuff. We don’t have to live in the past; in fact, we are encouraged by God’s Word to forget it and let it go. However, that doesn’t mean that we are free to ignore the results of it and pretend that we are not hurting when we are.

I was merely feeling sorry for myself and saying, “I can’t help it. It’s not my fault I was abused.” And it wasn’t my fault. But it was my responsibility to let God help me overcome all the bondages I was experiencing as a result of that abuse.

God began setting me free by dealing with me about all the wrong thoughts I had accepted and allowed. My mind had to change before my life could change. At first, I didn’t even want to take responsibility for my thoughts. I thought, I can’t help what I think! I eventually learned that I could choose my own thoughts, and I could think things on purpose. I learned that we don’t have to accept every thought that falls into our minds. We can cast down wrong ones and replace them with right ones.

I learned that instead of feeling helpless over the thoughts that fill my mind, I can do something positive.

Our mind is the battlefield, and Satan’s primary way of initiating his evil plan for us is through our thoughts. If we feel we have no power over our thoughts, Satan will entrap and defeat us. Instead, we can determine to think in godly ways. We constantly make choices. Where do those choices come from? They originate in our thought life. Our thoughts become our words and our actions.

God has given us the power to decide to choose right thinking over wrong. But once we make that choice, we must continue to choose right thoughts. It’s not a once-and-for-all decision, but it does get easier. The more we fill our lives with reading the Bible, prayer, praise, and fellowship with other believers, the easier it is for us to continue choosing right thoughts.

Prayer of the Day: Father God, remind me that I can and do make choices every day. Please help me to monitor my thoughts, choosing only those that will help me overcome the devil and win the battle for my mind. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

— Hebrews 10:30 (NKJV)

As we move forward in life, it is important not to hold on to any kind of bitterness or unforgiveness in our hearts. It is unlikely that any one of us has made it through life so far without being hurt by someone, but we only continue letting what they have done hurt us if we don’t forgive them.

Ask yourself if you are angry with anyone for anything, and if you are, ask God to help you forgive, forget, and let it go. God is our Vindicator, and if we will allow Him to, He will repay us for every injustice that has been done to us. In my life, I have learned that anger is something we should never carry around with us. God’s Word says that we should not let the sun set on our anger, and if we do, then we give the devil a foothold in our lives (see Ephesians 4:26–27).

Do yourself a favor right now as you move forward in life and refuse to remain angry or bitter. God has good things planned for us, and we don’t want to miss them by refusing to let go of things in the past. Keep on going with a peaceful heart and be determined to enjoy each day.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me forgive everyone who has hurt me in the past, and if I have hurt anyone, please help them to forgive me, amen.

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See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.

— 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (AMPC)

It is impossible to be in this world and deal with people and never be treated unjustly. Evil is present in society, but God has given us a secret weapon against it. When it touches us, we can defeat it with kindness rather than lowering ourselves to return evil for evil. We always overcome evil with good (see Romans 12:21).

Always be quick to forgive those who offend you, remembering that your prayers cannot be answered if you hold bitterness in your heart against anyone. When Jesus was dying on the cross at Calvary, one of His last acts on earth was to pray that God would forgive those who crucified Him. Stephen did likewise while he was being stoned to death (see Acts 7:59–60). The apostle Paul also forgave his friends who deserted him during his first trial (see 2 Timothy 4:16).

When people hurt us, we can respond according to our biblical examples. Doing so puts us in a position of power with God and frees us from the agony of anger and hatred.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I want to always keep my heart clear of anger and resentment, but I need Your grace to do so. Enable me to be kind when others are rude or mean to me, and to trust You to be my Vindicator. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

— Mark 11:24 (NIV)

If we look at life without considering the promises of God, all we have is what we see or feel. But with God’s promises, what seems impossible becomes possible. God’s only requirement is that we believe what He says more than we believe anything else. The world says, “I won’t believe until I see,” but God says, “Believe and then you will see.”

What do you believe about yourself, your past, and your future? Do you believe things will always be the way they have always been? I hope not, because if things in your life have not been good, that means you are stuck with that as your destiny. Perhaps you didn’t have a good beginning in life, but you can have a great finish! I know that is true because God says in His Word that He has a good plan for our future, one that should fill us with hope (see Jeremiah 29:11).

“When people have been emotionally wounded, it adversely affects how they think. Their thoughts are often negative, especially about themselves and their life in general. They may live with what the Bible calls “evil forebodings,” which is an expectation that something bad is going to happen. However, God’s Word renews our minds. It teaches us how to think and to expect good things to happen. It gives us a new attitude that allows us to live with joy and hope rather than with sadness, depression, and discouragement. It takes time and patience to see the changes you desire, so don’t expect things to change overnight.

God’s Word has inherent power in it, and once we learn to think in agreement with God, we will see positive changes in our lives. But remember, believing must come before seeing. God told David he would be king, but 20 years passed before he wore the crown. David went through a lot of difficult testing of his faith while he waited, but at the right time, he did become king. Like David, at the right time you will be all God wants you to be and have all He wants you to have. Just continue believing God’s promises and refuse to give up!

Ask God for things in prayer that are impossible and believe you will see them come to pass. While you wait for God to heal your wounded soul, stay busy helping and being kind to other people. The Bible tells us to “trust God and do good” (see Psalm 37:3). Each morning, ask God to show you someone you can help that day, and as you do, your joy will increase, and you will be sowing seeds for your own harvest.

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me to believe Your promises and trust Your Word, more than anything else. Renew my mind and help me to think positively. Help me to trust You and do good each day, amen.

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For a wide door of opportunity for effectual [service] has opened to me [there, a great and promising one], and [there are] many adversaries.

— 1 Corinthians 16:9 (AMPC)

Quitting is not an option for confident people. You must decide what you want or need to do and make up your mind that you will finish your course. You will experience some opposition no matter what you attempt to do in life. Remember that the whole goal of fear is to stop you. Fear wants you to run, to withdraw, and to hide. The apostle Paul said that when doors of opportunity opened to him, opposition often came with it. Confidence believes that it can handle whatever comes its way; it doesn’t fear what has not happened yet.

The apostle Paul was given a job to do, and he was determined to do it even though he knew that it meant imprisonment and suffering. He kept his eyes on the finish line, not on what he knew he would go through. He said he wasn’t moved by the opposition, but that his goal was to finish his course with joy. Enjoyment is not possible if we are afraid all the time. Fear brings present torment concerning future situations that may not happen anyway. Paul knew that whatever did happen, God would be faithful to strengthen him so that he might patiently endure it.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, no matter what I face today, I am determined to stay the course and not retreat. Strengthen me for the battle that I might finish whatever I start, amen.

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Whoever finds his [lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life].

— Matthew 10:39 (AMPC)

Life is like a maze sometimes, and it is easy to get lost. Everyone, it seems, expects something different from us. There is pressure coming at us from every direction to keep others happy and meet their needs.

When we attempt to become what others want us to be, in the process, we may lose ourselves. We may fail to discover what God’s intention is for us because we are trying so hard to please everyone else and yet are not pleased ourselves.

For years I tried to be so many things that I wasn’t, and I got myself totally confused. I had to get off the merry-go-round and ask myself: “Who am I living for? Why am I doing all these things? Have I become a people-pleaser? Am I really in God’s will for my life?”

Have you also lost yourself? Are you frustrated from trying to meet all the demands of other people while feeling unfulfilled yourself? If so, you can choose to take a stand and be determined to know your identity, your direction, and your calling—God’s will for your life. You will find yourself by drawing close to God, finding His will for your life, and doing it.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me find my true identity and purpose in life, found only in You. Help me to not be swayed by the opinions of others and guide me in Your will for my life, amen.

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 I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].

— 2 Timothy 4:7 (AMP)

One of the most important traits a Christian can have is determination. A child of God who refuses to give up is one who will enjoy victory. Jesus endured the cross for the joy of the prize awaiting Him (see Hebrews 12:2), and we should do the same thing.

Persistence is necessary, because there will be difficult times in life. Jesus never promised that when we start following Him, we’ll no longer deal with problems. Life isn’t always easy, but God is always with us. Going through challenges instead of giving up is what makes us strong.

When you feel weary, remember that God is with you and that He is the strength you need to make it through to the finish. Receive His strength now as you wait in His presence.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, please help me to be determined and persistent in following You, most especially during difficult times. Help me to receive Your strength to make it to the finish line, amen.

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 …Let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus…Just think of Him…so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.

— Hebrews 12:1-3 (AMPC)

It doesn’t take any special talent to give up, lie down on the side of the road of life, and say, “I quit.” Any unbeliever can do that.

But once you get hold of Jesus—or, more accurately, He gets hold of you—He begins to pump strength, energy, and courage into you, and something strange and wonderful begins to happen. He won’t let you quit!

You may say, “Oh, Lord, I don’t want to go on anymore.” But He won’t let you give up, even if you want to. So, keep looking to Jesus and follow His example. When you do, you will keep pressing on no matter what comes your way.

Prayer of the Day: Lord Jesus, please give me strength, energy, and courage to keep going even when I feel like giving up. Thank You for not letting me quit, amen.

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Either make the tree sound (healthy and good), and its fruit sound (healthy and good), or make the tree rotten (diseased and bad), and its fruit rotten (diseased and bad); for the tree is known and recognized and judged by its fruit.

— Matthew 12:33 (AMPC)

Jesus said we would be known by our fruit, which means that people can tell who we really are on the inside by what we produce with our lives and by our attitudes.

Jesus not only talked about love, but He showed love by His actions. Acts 10:38 says He got up daily and went about doing good and healing all those who were harassed and oppressed by the devil. His disciples saw Him daily helping people, listening to them, or letting His plans be interrupted in order to help someone who came to Him with a need. The disciples saw Him make sure they always had money set aside to help the poor. They also witnessed Him being quick to forgive and showing patience with the weak. He was kind, humble, and encouraging, and never gave up on anybody. Jesus did not merely talk about loving people, He showed everyone around Him how to love. Our words are important, but our actions carry more weight than our words.

The single biggest problem we have in Christianity is that we listen to people tell us what to do—and we even tell others what to do—and then we walk out of our church buildings or Bible studies and do nothing. It doesn’t matter what we think we know. The proof of what we know is in what we do.

I must constantly ask myself, “What am I doing to actually show love?” We can be deceived by knowledge, according to the apostle Paul (see 1 Corinthians 8:1). We can become blinded by the pride of what we know to the point where we can never see that we are not really practicing any of it. We should all make sure there is no gap between what we say and what we do.

Prayer of the Day: Father, please help me to trust You, not only for the things I desire but also in the process of attaining them. And teach me to maintain a positive attitude of faith, praise, thanksgiving, and positive expectation through every situation, amen.

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For as he thinks in his heart, so is he….

— Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

Years ago, I learned an invaluable lesson: Whatever we focus on, we become. That simple statement taught me a great deal. Wherever we put our energies or our attention, those things will develop. Another way I like to say it is, “Where the mind goes, the man follows!”

If I begin to think about ice cream, I will soon find myself in my car pursuing ice cream. My thought will stir my desires and emotions, and I will make the decision to follow them.

If we focus only on the negative things in our lives, we become negative people. Everything, including our conversation, becomes negative. We soon lose our joy and live miserable lives—and it all started with our own thinking.

You might be experiencing some problems in life—not realizing that you are creating them yourself by what you’re choosing to think about. I challenge you to think about what you’re thinking about!

You might be discouraged and even depressed and wonder what caused it. Yet if you examine your thought life, you will find that you are feeding the negative emotions you are feeling. Negative thoughts are fuel for discouragement, depression, and many other unpleasant emotions.

We should choose our thoughts carefully. We can think about what is wrong with our lives or about what is right with them. We can think about what is wrong with all the people we are in relationship with, or we can see the good and meditate on that. The Bible teaches us to always believe the best. When we do that, it makes our own lives happier and more peaceful.

I have a great life—and a loving husband and children. And I am privileged to be used by God to bless millions of people around the world through the wonderful ministry He has given me. But life isn’t perfect, and if I had allowed the devil to fill my mind with negative thoughts—as he once did long ago—I would have been defeated.

I want to focus on God’s grace and give thanks for all the good things in my life. I don’t want to focus on what I don’t have.

An old friend used to quote this saying: “As you wander on through life, brother, whatever be your goal, keep your eye upon the donut and not upon the hole.” Too many people focus on what’s not there and what’s not right.

All of this is to say that our thoughts largely determine our destiny. Our thoughts also determine our happiness. That is why Proverbs 23:7—today’s scripture—is one of my favorite verses. Thoughts are powerful. They aren’t just words that flow through our minds. So, it is very important for us to decide what we will allow to rest inside our minds.

We must not forget that the mind is a battlefield. We must always remember that our adversary will use it in any way he possibly can to trap us.

We can’t have a positive life and a negative mind. Our thoughts—our focus—is what determines where we end up.

Jesus, our friend and Savior, wants our minds to be filled with positive, beautiful, and healthy thoughts. The more we focus on those things, the more readily we defeat Satan’s attacks.

Prayer of the Day: God, I ask You to forgive me for focusing my thoughts on things that are not pleasing to You. I pray that You will help me fill my mind with thoughts that are clean and pure and uplifting. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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I will clothe his enemies with shame, but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown.

— Psalm 132:18 (NIV)

Today’s scripture gives us the impression that the psalmist Asaph isn’t having a very good day, and that’s okay. Every day of life isn’t perfect, and there are times when it is good to be honest with God or someone else about the way you feel. Most of the time, if one Christian asks another how they are, the answer is “Fine,” but they are not always fine. They say they are fine, because they think they are expected, as Christians, to be fine all the time. Asaph felt as though God was rejecting him forever and that He was angry with him, and he wrote about it.

We should not complain constantly, but there is a way to be honest about how we are feeling without being negative. Trust God always, but don’t be phony or pretend to be fine when the truth is that you aren’t fine at all.

Sometimes the best way to rid yourself of negative feelings is to talk them out. The psalmist David did this regularly with God, and it was okay. He was also a man of great faith. Don’t feel that you always have to be fine, marvelous, amazing, and wonderful, or that you cannot admit when you are having a rough time and your emotions are not joyful. Even Jesus said, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46 NIV). He also said, Into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46 NIV). Even though He felt forsaken, He knew that He wasn’t.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I am grateful that I can always be honest with You about how I feel, yet at the same time never stop trusting You. Help me to be honest with myself about my emotions, amen.

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 …But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

— 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMPC)

When we invite Jesus to come into our hearts, the Holy Spirit makes His home in us. From that position in our hearts, which are the very centers of our beings, the Holy Spirit begins a purifying work in our souls (our minds, wills, and emotions). Our minds tell us what we think, not what God thinks. The Holy Spirit is working in us to change that. We have to learn how to think in agreement with God, how to be vessels for God to think through. Old thoughts must be purified from us, and new thoughts—thoughts from God—must become part of our thinking. Our emotions tell us how we feel, not how God feels about situations, people, and the decisions we make. According to Psalm 7:9, God tests and tries our emotions. He works with us until we are not moved by human emotion alone, but by His Spirit.

Our wills tell us what we want, not what God wants. The will overrides emotions and even thoughts. We can use it to do the right thing even when we don’t feel like doing them. We have a free will, and God will not force us to do anything. He leads us by His Spirit into what He knows will be good for us, but the final decisions are ours to make. God wants us to regularly make decisions that are in agreement with His will, not our wills. As these three areas of our lives—mind, will, and emotions—come under the lordship of Jesus Christ and the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we will become increasingly mature as believers.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, please help me to surrender my mind, will, and emotions to You. Show me how to allow Your Holy Spirit to purify me and guide me into Your will, amen.

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But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”

— 1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

We rush to get every new upgrade available for our computer and phone. We spend money, wait in lines, do whatever it takes to have the newest and best. We are very aggressive about having the best equipment available, but are we as aggressive about having the upgraded life Jesus offers us?

The Bible says that the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter every day (see Proverbs 4:18). This means God is always drawing us toward better and better things. He continually offers upgrades, and we should be determined to have each one of them.

Living the best life God has for you will require some effort on your part. You will need to educate yourself on the life He offers and what it truly means to be born again. As a child of God, you have an inheritance and you have certain rights and privileges, but if you don’t know about them, you will never enjoy them. We educate ourselves through Bible study, reading good books about biblical principles, spending time with God, and being in community with other people who are seeking God as we are. We also need a lot of patience because God is usually not in a hurry. He is always working in our lives, but we are not always aware of it.

Simply going to church once a week doesn’t necessarily help you attain the upgraded life you desire. It helps, but you will have to also seek God diligently every day of your life, not just once or twice a week. God has provided countless tools for us to help us grow, but we must avail ourselves of them. I want to challenge you to set aside at least 45 minutes to an hour a day and call it your “God Time.” Make it a goal, and if you need to begin with less time, that is okay because gradually you will desire more. During that time you can study your Bible, talk to God in prayer, listen to a Bible teaching, read a book that will help you understand the Bible better, or simply sit in God’s presence and receive His love.

If you do this diligently, you will find over time that you have changed and are enjoying yourself and your life much more than ever before. Any good relationship requires time, and your relationship with God is no different. God has so many wonderful things in His plan for you, and during this time you will learn what they are and how to access them. You can’t use what you don’t know you have! For example, you have a Helper, who is the Holy Spirit, and He is with you all the time.

Anytime you need help with anything, all you need to do is ask. This and many “other wonderful things are yours in Christ, so get busy learning about them and start enjoying the upgraded life Jesus died for you to have.

Prayer of the Day: Lord Jesus, I know You have many good things planned for me. Help me be determined to seek the upgraded life You offer. Teach me to use the tools You have provided and to spend time in Your presence every single day. I love You so much, amen.

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Persecutions, sufferings…I endured, but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Indeed all who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and godly life in Christ Jesus will meet with persecution [will be made to suffer because of their religious stand].

— 2 Timothy 3:11-12 (AMPC)

In the beginning of my ministry, I had a dream that I was driving my car and approaching a flooded bridge. I stopped, looking first at the water-covered bridge, back where I had been, and to the side of the road, trying to decide if I should park, retreat, or keep moving forward. Then I woke up.

God used that dream to show me that there will always be opposition when pressing toward a goal. There will always be opportunity to park and go no farther or turn around and give up. It was up to me to decide each time if I would give up or go on. That dream has helped me many times to press on when difficulties came, and I was tempted to quit. I have decided that even though I don’t always do everything right, I will never quit! Determination will get you a lot further than talent. So, if you feel you lack in talent, take heart. All you need to win in life is more determination than anyone else you know.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, today may have its challenges, but I am determined to press on following Your will. By Your grace, I will go the distance and never quit, amen.

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My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody.

— Psalm 57:7 (AMPC)

In order to experience victory in our lives and achieve great things for God, it is crucial that we choose to be determined. The Bible says that Jesus steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51 AMPC), and we can do the same thing as we live for God. If we are going to accomplish anything worthwhile, it is important we “steadfastly and determinedly” set our face in that direction and not give up.

When you receive Christ as your Savior and Lord, Satan will oppose you at every turn. He wants you to give up! The devil is not going to roll out a red carpet for us just because we decide to receive Christ. But Jesus has already overcome the devil. Satan is a defeated foe. His opposition is not strong enough to stop you if you are close to God, walking in His strength and will for your life.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything in life should be easy for us. Ask for God’s help, receive His grace, and be determined to do the will of God, to stay positive and happy, and to walk in the peace of God no matter what.

Prayer of the Day: Father, please help me to be determined to accomplish great things for You. Strengthen me to not give up, even when facing opposition.

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 …It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.

— Acts 20:35 (AMP)

One of the very best things you can do to make any day better is to take your focus off of yourself and begin looking for ways to help and serve others. It is a heavenly paradox: The more you help others, the more you are helped. This is why Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Rather than complaining about your problems or your terrible day, take some quiet time with God and contemplate how to solve someone else’s problems and brighten their day. Think of them, pray for them, and ask God to give you a fresh idea of how to bless them. Putting others first is a revolutionary new outlook on life that will bring you the peace and joy that only God can give.

Prayer of the Day: Dear Lord, help me to trust in You and not worry about the future, and to know and understand that when I focus on tomorrow, I waste today. Thank You for reminding me to take one day at a time, amen.

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For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

— 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMPC)

The only way to conquer fear is to confront it and to do the thing you are afraid of. If you don’t, you will be a prisoner all your life.

When we do confront things, we always find that the worst part of the fear was in our minds, and the reality of the thing wasn’t as bad as we had imagined.

If you truly want to be free, understand that facing a fear is better than being afraid all your life. Fear is a terrible burden to live with.

Bravery to overcome life’s fears comes when you ask God for His help, trust He is with you, and face that fear head-on.

Prayer of the Day: Father God, please give me the courage to face my fears, and the faith to trust in Your guidance. Help me overcome the burden of fear and live freely in Your love, amen.

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Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

— 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

In the United States, there is an over-the-counter medication advertised as the medicine to take at the first indication of a cold, to keep it from getting worse and becoming full-blown. I take a lot of vitamin C if I have a scratchy throat or a runny nose because it often keeps me from getting worse. Catching something before it goes too far is wisdom.

I recommend that anytime you even begin to feel fearful about anything that you immediately begin to pray and confess, “I will not live in fear.” You will see amazing results. When we pray, God hears and answers. When we confess His Word, we renew our own minds and come into agreement with His plans for us. No matter what God wants to do for us, we must agree with Him in order to receive and enjoy it (see Amos 3:3). We must learn to think like God thinks and talk like He talks—and none of His thoughts or words are fearful.

This thought—I will not live in fear—will help you become courageous rather than fearful. Call it to mind the instant you begin to feel fear and meditate on it even during the times when you are not afraid.

By doing this you will be even more prepared to stand against fear when it does come.

Remember that it will take time; be committed to stick with it until you see change. I still say, “I will not live in fear.” Say it as soon as you feel fearful about anything, and you will be able to keep fear from controlling you. You may still feel fear, but you can move beyond it by realizing that it is merely the devil’s attempt to prevent you from enjoying life or making any kind of progress. Do what you believe you are supposed to do even if you have to “do it afraid.”

Prayer of the Day: Father, help me to trust in You and to have courage to face my fears head on. Renew my mind in Your Word and help me to overcome my concerns, amen.

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Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

— Hebrews 11:1 (AMPC)

“I will not fear” is the only acceptable attitude we can have toward fear. That does not mean we will never feel fear, but it does mean we will not allow it to rule our lives. The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear (see 2 Timothy 1:7).

Fear is not from God, but faith is! We should remember to do everything with a spirit of faith. Faith is confidence in God and a belief that His promises are true. Faith will cause a person to go forward, to try new things, and to be aggressive.

Be firm in your resolve to do whatever you need to do, even if you have to “do it afraid”! To “do it afraid” means to feel the fear and do what you believe you should do anyway. Stand in faith, be thankful for God’s promises, and boldly pursue what God has put in your heart to do.

Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, that I can live in faith and not in fear. Regardless of the difficulty of the situation I may be facing, I will choose to do what You have called me to do, even if I have to “do it afraid.” Thank You for giving me the strength that I need.

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