WILL YOU STAY DOWN FOR THE COUNTDOWN?

Have you ever felt like giving up? Have you thought of quitting?

 Perhaps you have been in a place in your life where you felt like you were cornered and there was no way out but down, as the knockout blow came and you felt yourself plummeting downward, waiting for the final count down. 3, 2, 1……..You know the words that come next, don’t you? You said them in your mind as you were looking at the numbers. I refuse to finish the countdown. I just can’t do it.

You see, I know what it feels like to be in a desperate situation where your world has crumbled at your feet, nothing is going right, and as the world goes on without you, all your heart knows is defeat.

Defeat over what didn't happen or over how things played out in your life.

Defeat and despair over the situations that have appeared before you and there is nothing you can do quickly enough to change any of it.

Defeat that reminds you how everyone expects more from you and these words should never be uttered from your lips, but you have held them in your heart.

Defeat that knocks you so hard, that you head hurts, your body aches, and you feel without the strength to get up again.

So are you and I going to stay down for the final countdown?  Are we going to hear the bell that declares our situation is greater, stay down, knock out, don't get up and fight?

There’s a referee calling out your name and giving you his hand, saying, “Get up!”

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

There is a lawyer, an advocate, standing before you, saying, “Let’s walk through this together.”

Psalm 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Can you trust in God and believe that what you are going through will not be forever? Have you felt like throwing in the towel, like they say, and not trying anymore? Please don’t. Can we believe for restoration together?

Romans 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

I can speak boldly for I have been in that dark place of doubt and wondering if anything would change for me. At times, I just wondered if my prayers would even pass my bedroom ceiling. Today I need to remind you that there is a reason to go on, to believe and keep holding on. God is not done with you or with me. The answer is coming. You help is on the way. The solution is around the corner. Assistance has been sent your way. Angels have been dispatched to your side to watch over you so you don’t lose heart. God’s Spirit is not gone. He is there. God is not done with any of us. Believe the best is yet to come. We have to keep our faith in His Word. It's the only way.

Your comments are always welcomed. Be blessed.

FEAR CAME TO STAY

Fear arrives unnoticed and is diligent to remain unsuspicious during his stay. No one sees the amount of luggage Fear carries. When Fear shows up, it comes to stay. Fear comes quietly and listens to your morning conversations and takes notes, nodding his ugly head and tapping his pen on his paper. Fear stands at the door as you try to pray and begins to device his plan.

Fear whispers into the air around you every time you voice your ideas. “It cannot be done.” Fear writes on the walls of your apartment so that you see it the moment you sit down for coffee. “Not today, you will leave it for tomorrow.”

Fear listens to your concerns and agrees with you. It sits at your bedside, holding your hand, comforting you with a sinister smile and says, “Poor darling. Are you feeling hopeless?” It grabs at your heart with icy fingers and sends cold vibrations throughout your body, numbing your strength, and pushing you back on your pillow. Fear stands at the window and observes you through the night, as you remain awake, unable to sleep for the sounds that surround you and the imaginations of your heart increase.

Carefully he comes when you finally shut your eyes, and it binds your feet, binds your hands, covers your mouth, and then stands back to admire his work. Morning comes with all your plans and responsibilities commanding your attention. Courage and Assurance of heart have been strapped down. Your heart is racing, you feel dizzy and as you attempt to stand and get out of bed, Fear laughs and punches you so hard you fall back on your bed.

Fear smiles and shows you his previous notes. “Here are your dreams.” He takes a black marker and scribbles on them. “Here are your hopes.” It scribbles once more. “This is what you prayed for.” Laughing loudly, he scribbles a dark line across these. You are frozen in time and cannot move. Fear has taken residence.

What will you do?

I’m going to tell you what you’re going to do, and do it now.

Get up! If you get knocked down, push forward and get up. Get up now! One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! Acts 18:9 NLT 

Today, the Lord says to you “Don’t be afraid!

 Speak out! Don’t be silent!” 

You see, Fear is going to hear it today. So get ready!

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, 

and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7 NIV

You are not alone. Won’t you call out to the Lord who has promised to show up? He’s all around you cheering you on as you begin to fight against Fear.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT

I know Fear doesn't want to leave, but you are going to have to open up your big mouth and speak out because up to now, Fear just hasn’t seen the side of you that can command an army when you put your trust in the Lord.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV

Get up and walk around your home. Every room that has ever made you tremble at the thought of taking one more step, every area that has ever frozen you as you walked in the dark and made you feel you couldn't breathe. Get up and awake the Word of God in your heart and bring it forth into your home and heart.

In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:4 NIV

Fear has to leave! It cannot stand in the presence of a Holy God. It cannot stay in the presence of perfect love. God is encouragement and Life. Open all those doors that have allowed Fear to live in: the door to your mind, your heart, your dreams, your future, your prayers, and your life. Open those doors and take a dark marker and begin to scribble what the Lord says to you today.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 

Psalm 91:4-8 NLT

One last verse:

 I am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? Isaiah 51:12 NLT

WHY? Why then, are you still afraid?

Your comments are welcomed, positive or negative.