Defy the OddsSample

Once you face your fears and refuse to let them control your life, you must let them know who’s boss. Familiarize your fears with your God. Communicate that He is greater and stronger than anything you face. Speaking God’s Word and truth over what frightens you will provide you with a lasting strength and a heavenly perspective.

David’s proclamation to the Philistine giant in 1 Samuel 17 is the perfect example of familiarizing your fears with your God. When he approached Goliath on the battlefield, he refused to let fear consume him as the giant laughed and mocked his youth and size. Instead, David responded by stating, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head” (1 Samuel 17:45-46). David not only faced his fear but familiarized Goliath with God’s power and truth.

If you’re not careful, you’ll continually focus on the details of your circumstances and accept them as truth for the outcome. But in reality, your circumstances never factor in the promises of God and the power of His presence. When you are faced with difficulty, fear may begin to overwhelm you, but the truth is fear is not an indicator of failure but of a need for the Father. You can maintain a heavenly perspective by proclaiming God’s Word over your life instead of accepting your circumstances as truth.

Circumstances may say funds are low and financial ruin is in your future, but Philippians 4:19 says, “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Circumstances may say you’re a failure because you didn’t get the job, but Romans 8:28 says, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Circumstances may say you’re weak because you’ve given in to temptation, but 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Circumstances lie, and fear is simply false evidence appearing to be real. The details of your circumstances may appear true in the moment, but through the lens of Christ they hold no truth. When standing face-to-face with your fears, you must use God’s Word as your weapon, because that’s the only way to ensure victory. Remember that God’s perfect love casts out fear, and the power of His love can overtake your strongest enemy. Tell your fears about your Father. Let them become familiar with Him, and they will begin to fade.