How to Overcome FearSample

Jesus suffered on the cross in our place to satisfy the wrath of God. Not only was he our Lamb who was slain, but also he left us an example of how to suffer. Not only is he our Master, but also he is our model of how to live our life. That’s why we are called Christians; our life is to reflect the life of Jesus.

Paul tells us, “Be imitators of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Even our Savior says, “Learn from me” (Matthew 11:29). We learn from him not only how to live but also how to suffer. When talking about his suffering, Jesus compared himself to a seed that was planted by the farmer in the soil with the hope of producing a great harvest. What people saw as burial, Jesus viewed as planting. His death would result in a harvest of salvation for many. It’s true that our suffering doesn’t add to our salvation, but the way we go through our suffering can bring us closer to God.

Planting and burial may look alike, but they are different. Both seed and corpse go into the ground. One comes back as a forest, the other turns into dust. Sometimes our suffering may seem like the burial of our dreams and God’s promises, but we must keep faith in him that we are being planted. We must trust in God’s plan even if it feels like all of our life is part of the devil’s plot. Our perspective during pain can’t be trusted; therefore, we must trust in God’s promise. During suffering our feelings can’t be trusted either; we must look to our Father.

Jesus didn’t downplay the reality of the cross, yet he had a positive outlook on the future. In fact, he always said that after suffering he would die and then rise again. I think it’s important to keep a promise of God in front of our minds so that it gives us an optimistic outlook on life. We are not talking about merely being positive. When you’re suffering, have an optimistic outlook that things will get better. That if it’s Friday, Sunday is coming. Even if it’s weeping right now, joy is coming in the morning.

God gave us the Holy Spirit to help us keep our heads up when things are hard. The Holy Spirit is called our Comforter. When all comforts fail, he will never fail us. Comforts can bring happiness, but only the Comforter brings joy. If suffering does one good thing, it is to make us rely more on the Comforter and less on our comforts. Jesus offered himself on the cross to the Father through the eternal Spirit. The Holy Spirit is there to help you when you’re suffering. But as with Christ, the Spirit also raised him up after three days. So it is with us, that the Holy Spirit will help us to rise again and overcome every obstacle.

Today’s Confession:
1. I am not being buried; I am being planted.
2. The Holy Spirit is my Comforter even when all my comforts fail.
3. It might be Friday in my life, but Sunday is coming!

Want to know the Holy Spirit more? Check out my new book called "Host the Holy Ghost."