Joshua 1:9 [NIV] ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

DAILY READING Romans 7; 1 Samuel 16; Psalm 61

Paula Ann Hiers Deen is an American TV personality and cooking show host. She is someone who learnt to escape from the prison of fear. Years ago, after several tragedies in her life, she had developed severe agoraphobia, suffered panic attacks and was afraid to even leave her house. Almost penniless, she was also trying to raise two teenage sons alone.
But she had been brought up in the Baptist faith and would turn to God for help in this dark season of her life. Still battling with fear and too afraid to walk in public places, she then began an indoor catering service as something she could do without leaving the house. Starting with only $200, she would make the food and her sons would deliver them to customs. Soon things began to look up financially for her and her home business outgrew her kitchen. Through faith in God she eventually overcame her battle with fear, and in January 1996, with her sons, she opened a restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. Within a few years, the restaurant’s reputation quickly spread, and by 1999 her restaurant, named ‘The Lady & Sons’ had received international recognition.
Paula Dean eventually landed her own TV show, published 15 cookbooks, and even had a role in a movie. Today she is one of America’s most beloved television chefs, and it all started when she realized that the power that dwelt inside of her was greater than the fear that tried to hold her back.
Joshua 1:9 NIV says ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Many people today are afraid to move forward and take the territories God has already given them in the realm of the spirit. A man may be full of zeal and passion and vision, but by the time he begins to consider the greatness of the obstacles he needs to overcome, fear of the unknown gets him deflated.
Fear is a stopper of men’s progress. It is what the enemy uses to distort reality and try to keep people from moving forward. As a result many people instead of progressing with their dreams, are stuck with their fears, mostly because they are thinking of security instead of opportunity.
The truth is that you can overcome the fears trying to hold you back and move into the fullness of God’s plan for you. There will always be a Goliath between you and your throne. However, your conquest will be a function of your boldness, based on strong faith in God.
Whenever you face intimidating situations, learn to look up to God. The study of God’s Word and persistent prayers will always impart into your heart the faith that you need to overcome.
Deuteronomy 7:16 says “Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh…”
When we look into the mirror of God’s Word, we are constantly put in remebrance of His migghty acts and this births faith in our hearts. Ultimately, it is faith in God that drives fear out of our lives. Therefore, find out what God says in His Word about you, meditate on it until faith rises in your heart and then begin to make bold declarations through prayers, claiming the promises of God over your life. As you press forward by faith it is only a matter of time before every goliath is defeated, allowing you to ascend the glorious throne ordained for you. Indeed by the power of The Spirit, every barrier of fear that has been holding you back in any area is broken today and you are now free to enter into your Canaan, flowing with milk and honey in Jesus Name.

PRAYER: Lord, I praise You today for granting me permanent victory over fear. Please grant me the grace to always walk on the narrow path of obedience to Your Word even as I remain persistent in prayers. By Your grace I shall surely ascend the throne You have ordained for me this year in Jesus Name.

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God protects and shields us when we are being led by Him. – WORDBITE 222