Mail from T.D. Jakes Ministries .
For a big part of my trading journey I've been following him and I received a piece about FEAR . What was in the letter is below:
What would YOU DO if fear wasn't holding back ? Whatever the answer is ... that's what FEAR IS ROBBING FROM YOU .
There is a force in this world that will hold you hostage if you let it ... It will hold you back from your dreams and your destiny . It's not the devil or his demons . It's not witchcraft, your roots, or your boss; and it's not your momma ... it is your number one enemy . It's fear !
Fear holds you back, while faith moves you forward . If you get what I'm saying today down in your heart, not just your mind, you can declare:
"Fear will never hold me back again!"
When you follow God and put your life in His hands, He will never let you down, but you will have to deal with fear when it comes against you .
The disciples were given a lesson on fear and overcoming faith while crossing the sea (Mathew 14:22-36) . It's a lesson that can change your life ... this is your moment of breakthrough!
A storm came up and the boat was buffeted by wind and water . Fear crashed in on the hearts of Jesus' disciples like crushing waves and caused them to do what many people do when the waves get high ... focus on the bad situation, instead of what God could do with it .
You will face some storms in your life, but your "boat" will float as long as the situation on the outside doesn't get on the inside .
You can ride out the worst conditions, sailing on the top of the waves --until that moment when the waves get inside and drag you down . People who survive the fiercest storms do so because they refuse to let fear in . They stay water-tight until God arrives to calm the tempest .
Some people became millionaires during the Great Depression because they didn't allow news on the outside affect their thought life on the inside!
Are you in the storm today? Take a look at your conversation, your speech, your thoughts and attitudes . They will reveal whether you are going through or going down . Luke 6:45 says, "For out of abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (NKJV) . The abundance of your heart is either keeping the water out or letting it in .
Watch your associations . Listen to what is being said . There are always "bad news bearers" ready to fill you with doubt, "Watch out now! I wouldn't do that if I were you . Don't take a risk!" Negative people get near and scatter seeds of fear .
A fearful heart-- yours or someone else's can put holes in your bat and keep you from ever seeing your destiny and God's blessing fulfilled .
Fortify your heart with scripture--"waterproof" your boat . When the waves crash and the winds beat on you, cling to Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit" (NASB) . there is power and life, more real than any storm, in those words .
Take bake your life by rebuking fear and speaking peace over your past and present .
The Word is your security; it's proof of who you are and whose you are . You can defeat fear in the storm, but it's amazing to realize how many people also fear a solution .
Have you ever stayed in a bad situation because you feared what might happen outside the boat ? You want life to change, but you're afraid to take a step in the right direction ... terrified it's the wrong move . The big question fear shackles you with is, "What if God doesn't show up ?
Truthfully, most people, facing both fear of their circumstances and fear of a solution, do absolutely nothing . They cling to the boat, hanging on to the familiar, less-than life that God wants to deliver them from .
The devil comes "to steal, and kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10 NKJV), but there is another objective he'll settle for: status quo-- a mediocre walk of faith that keeps you stuck, disappointed, and scared .
Don't let the spirit of fear keep you stuck between the storm and the solution . Get out of the boat!
Feed your courage by risking everything on Jesus, because He always shows up .
Peter was in the same boat as the other disciples . He saw the storm and the waves, but he saw Someone else too . You might not always recognize the Lord in a storm, but you can hear His voice calling. "Come on, step out of the boat . Walk around toward me , I'm here for you ."
I'm talking to you today because you need refreshing to get back on track -- to once again feed your faith and dream . It's time to take that step . God will not let you sink or stumble .
Finally, don't be afraid to break free of your past .
God's best for you is out in front of you . The past behind . God is calling you to newness of life, and fear wants you chained to all those painful yesterdays . When it is time to act, many Christians hesitate and wonder if this new thing God is about to do will hurt .
That's your past creeping up--it has no bearing on where God wants to take you . When God stretches you, He pulls in the direction of your future . If you let go of the past the stretching is wonderful, but you've got to say goodbye to some things before you can say hello to new opportunities .
Psalm 27:1-2 says, "The LORD is my light and salvation; whom shall I fear ? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whim shall I be afraid ? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell" (KJV)
God is our liberator and defender . Hear the Word of the Lord today; reject fear and accept freedom! Bet your life on God today, and shout down your fears . God gave you a voice-- use it!
I've got more, so much more, in the series "A Fear Free You." I want you to experience this outstanding multimedia resource, which contains two messages on DVD, and a study guide of life-giving scriptures you can read and keep with you .
What I've written you today comes from my heart; I've seen what God can do with a life completely given to Him . Fear tried to stop me from fulfilling God's destiny, but instead I chose life . What He did for me, He can do for you "God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34 KJV) .