It's time to increase our faith, decrease our fear!

Morning Y'all! I pray this post encourages you and gives God glory! Got suggested topics you want me to write about? Please comment below or email me at info@mocatoday.com.

Following a sermon this past Sunday on faith and fear in the present age, I felt led to follow up with three reminders for believers and followers of Jesus Christ:

• We must diligently, consistently seek God to increase our faith and decrease our fear! Why? Because if we don't, we'll allow the enemy's spirit of fear to consume us, paralyze us, and take greater power in our lives. God has called us to walk boldly in the faith (Matthew 10:16, Acts 4:29), leave no room for fear (2 Timothy 1:7), and live our lives as He calls for us from a place of victory and hope in Jesus Christ (Isaiah 40:31, Romans 15:13). The greater the faith, hope, love, and trust in Jesus Christ we have, the less power and influence fear wins in our lives.

• No matter what it looks like, no matter the circumstance– We are called to walk by faith, NOT by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)! Yes, I'll admit, optics aren't looking the greatest right now. But, we know there's nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9) and everything isn't always what it seems. We also know the enemy is a master deceiver (Acts 13:10). Thus, God desires we keep Him first (Matthew 6:33), stay planted in Him, and remain faithful to the end (Matthew 24:12).

• As Christ's ambassadors, we must remember we are called to be brave Christlike examples in His church AND out in the world, even in times of great peril, division, and uncertainty (2 Corinthians 5:20)! Therefore, studying God's word, prayer, fasting, and meeting together (Hebrews 10:25) should be a true believer's regular posture to hear from God, allow Him to strengthen you, and mature your Christlike character.

Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. ~1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV)

So, how do we increase our faith?

An iBelieve article written by Jolene Underwood, provides three helpful tips to break free from fear and strengthen our faith below.

1. Find our footing in God’s Word.

No matter what surrounds us, we always have the promise of a solid foundation to stand on– God’s Word. Faith is fueled from the source, God’s Word, and His truths.

So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ~Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ~Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

2. Identify the lies we believe.

We may unknowingly hold onto beliefs that oppose the truths of God. These false beliefs cling like sludge and refuse to let go until we recognize them and replace them. They may be about God, others, and/or ourselves and we need to examine what they are in order to get rid of them. Sometimes, it takes the fellowship of strong believers to help us identify them. Maybe we believe we can’t, when we can. Maybe we believe God doesn’t care, when He does.

And we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. ~2 Corinthians 10:5 (ERV)

Whether our reason for feeling fearful is fully valid or not, we need to ask ourselves honestly if they’re thoughts we are feeding to ourselves which increase our level of fear. When we are honest about the thoughts we are having, we can begin to test them in the light of scripture and consider how they hold up to God’s truth.

3. Replace the lies with God's truth, then live out steps in line with His truth.

Our next step is to take action on the true beliefs we must hold on to. If we have believed we are at the mercy of other people or circumstances, then we are falsely believing that we have no power to do the very things God calls us to. If someone tells you to do something that goes against God’s will, the truth is you have the power to say no. It may be hard, and the truth is your circumstances could get worse. But, your heart will experience greater freedom and courage in doing so.

God equips and provides for all of us as believers. May we remember God is with us, He will not leave us, and He has given us what we need.

May we know today, we can move forward in faith.

Jesus is coming soon! We're living out prophesies today and it's not the time to give fear any foothold in our lives.

Be brave. Stay strong. Remain planted in Him.

Continue seeking God to increase your faith and decrease your fear!

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Remember, it's all about progression, not perfection! God loves you! With Him, you got this! Until next post, may God give you His peace and blessings!

~Natasha

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