For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Tim 1:7 NIV

We all have a level of fear, but when fear cripples and prevents us from growing or moving forward in life it’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Fear produces low self-esteem, anger, stagnation, timidity, unhealthy relationships, excuses, and depression. Many fears that we carry were developed at an early age and as we grow older and begin to see patterns of situations and circumstances in our life it should alert us to seek God so he can reveal the areas that need healing. It has been my experience that God will sometimes place us in situations so we can recognize our fears in order to overcome them. It doesn’t feel good at the time but as we begin to heal it ignites freedom and power that was already placed inside of us. The only way to overcome fear is to address it over and over again until it no longer has power over us. This can be a very frightening because we are basically experiencing the same emotions of the situation that created the fear.  I find it interesting that God took the time in his word to specifically tell us he did not give us a spirit of fear and then elaborates on the spirits he did provide for us that serves as spiritual tools to alleviate the fear which are power, love, and self-control.  God never leaves us without support his desire is for us to be whole in every area of our life. Ask Him and you will receive….  

There is a degree of dysfunction in every family and many times not receiving the proper level of love and support causes us to feel a void of feeling unloved. In the quest of trying to fill that void we make mistakes that induce greater pain and a feeling of low self-worth. Only the love of God through our openness to accept it will heal the wounds and scars. When we allow God’s love to infiltrate our heart and mind we are able to live the life God created specifically for each of us.  You can trust God’s love it’s pure and perfect. Get to know and love who you are through Jesus Christ, there is an unexplainable freedom and confidence in it that no one else can give you.

He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He is the one who bandages their wounds. Psalm 147:3 GWT

Do you ever just take the time to celebrate who you are, the person God has created you to be. Think about how far God has brought you and where he's taking you. It's exciting to know that each day the plan God has made specifically for you is being played out in your life.  Knowing and loving yourself from God’s perspective gives you power and confidence to do things you never imagined. It causes you to value the person that you are because you know God has you in HIS precious hand. Yes the same hand that healed the sick, hugged little children, served his friends and was nailed to the cross. The word of God says nothing can pluck his children out of his hand, so know that you are valuable in the eyes of God and he cares for you with a perfect, genuine love, it doesn't get any better than that. 

Celebrate you!!!

God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

May God give you more and more grace and peace. I Peter 1: NLT

I have given you authority (power) to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Luke 10:19 NIV

Many times as individuals we feel that if we don’t address an issue it will go away, in actuality the things in your life that you don’t address and conquer have control and power over you. Fear, unhealthy relationships, lies, and the things we know we should do and don’t are examples of issues that we allow to have power over us. It takes courage and integrity to face life challenges some have been embedded in us from childhood. But with faith and confidence in God we have the power and authority to overcome everything that does not fit the description of Jesus Christ. As we go through this journey with Christ more is revealed of who we are not and who we should become, I believe God designed it this way so that each day by the power he has instilled in us we become transformed into HIS character, and love. His word promises “he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Never give up on you, I don’t care how many times you have to try in a particular area that you are struggling just stay the course trust God drench yourself in his word and prayer and he will do a work. You are never defenseless or hopeless, Christ is for you, yes the one with all authority and power in his hand, the one who thought enough of you to die for you so you would have an abundant life he is with you. Stand firm and never allow anything but God to have power over you.

The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! 1 Thess 5:24  MSG

Many times other people see our greatness before we do. Parents in particular can pick up on their children’s strengths and place them in a position to sharpen their gifts. God, being our heavenly Father has full view of our greatness because he placed it inside of each of us. However, in order for us to have a clear view we must be transformed in God’s likeness that changes our perspective so the negativity and incorrect thinking of ourselves is changed. The enemy consistently fights us with negative defeating thoughts. His goal is to make us feel hopeless and lose faith in God. We must fight for our destiny knowing we already have the victory and claim it by what we think, say and do. We have to be tenacious not passive and look the enemy in the eye (whatever that enemy maybe) and declare, I WIN! No matter where I am right now, I WIN, regardless of the circumstance, I WIN, if anyone hasn’t told you let me have the pleasure of telling you, YOU WIN, WIN, WIN!! Jesus won the fight for us. It’s our responsibility to focus on the words God has spoken over our life and allow it to transform us into the manifestation of HIS glory, our God given purpose.  

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

The word of God bears truth to the fact that God never leaves his children in the same physical, or mental state, he constantly moves in their life and takes every experience to elevate them. No matter how bad a situation appears God has the power to take our experiences and turn them around for us to reach higher in every area of our life, “they meant it for evil but God turned it around for my good.” I have learned that every tactic used to test my faith was turned into a situation that elevated me higher and I don’t necessarily mean in tangible ways, but in wisdom, knowledge, and a closer relationship with God. God’s power, character, and awesomeness are demonstrated in our test and trails. We have to trust God to the point where we let go of self, what you have known and done all your life and allow Jesus to lead and guide you. Life is a process you can’t get around it, there are no quick fixes. Character, integrity, and most of all a personal relationship with God takes time and experiences, and the most difficult experiences teaches us the most valuable lessons. Stay firmly rooted in your relationship with Christ and watch how he moves in your life. He will take you to places you never imagined because prosperity in every area of your life has been promised.
“…and in whatever you do, God will make it prosper”

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16 NLT

There is nowhere in the word of God that we are asked to be a carbon copy of someone else. We were never created to be like the crowd. God made each of us individually with unique gifts and talents and when collaboratively joined together we can accomplish great things. When you know who you are in Christ and walk in who God made you to be you will accomplish things you’ve never imagined. Step out of the status quo, God has placed amazing goals and dreams inside of you. Do what you were born to do! God has already laid the plan out and will supernaturally do what you cannot do. Trust and believe him in all things his word cannot return to him void, declare it in the atmosphere “it will happen.”