prolonging the delays in life…

when you're going through the delays in life, waiting for an answer to prayer there are some things GOD says don't do because they prolong the delay.  one of them is don’t fear.

deuteronomy 1.26 + 28 (tev), they…would not enter the land.  they said... “we are afraid ... the people there are stronger and taller than we are”. 

this is the first mistake the israelites made in their trek to the promise land. 

now there are a lot of reasons for the delays that happen in your life but this one is your own fault.  GOD says, don’t be afraid.  they would not enter the land.  they said, “we are afraid... the people there are stronger and taller than we are”.  they had enough faith to move out of egypt but they didn’t have enough faith to move into the promised land.  they were afraid. 

the problem with fear is that it keeps you in the wilderness, in the desert of life, the barren stage.  it prolongs the delay. 

many of your dreams have never been fulfilled, not because of GOD, but because of you.  because you wouldn’t step out in faith.  “one of these days…”  the bottom line is fear.  GOD says don’t fear. fear causes the delays in your life and keeps you from moving ahead.

what should i do instead of fearing?  instead focus on GOD’s presence.  realize that GOD is with you.  when you’re afraid to go after the dream GOD has given you, you need to focus on GOD’s presence. 

isaiah 41.10 (tlb), fear not, for I am with you.  do not be dismayed.  I am your GOD, I will strengthen you and I will help you... and uphold you. 

HE says, I am with you.  there will never be a time in your life when GOD is not with you.  HE’s with you now, HE always has been and HE always will be.  HE’s with you on your good days and your bad days.  HE’s with you when you feel it and HE’s with you when you don’t feel it.  GOD says, I am with you.

there are 365 “fear nots” in the bible – that’s one for every day of the year.  GOD is saying, “no matter what you’re facing don’t be afraid”.  fear not, for i am with you.  not because of positive thinking or motivational tapes or pulling yourself up by the psychological bootstraps. 

you’ll never face any situation in life that GOD isn’t facing it with you.  we tend to forget that, and when we do, we start being afraid.  don’t fear but focus on GOD’s presence – HE’s with you all the time.

just a thought from the front porch…