The Strategic Living Podcast with Brian Holmes
Episodes
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
The following story by Anthony de Mello captures what can happen if we don’t embrace our destiny and we lose our freedom to be eagles.
A man found an eagle’s egg and put it in a nest of a barnyard hen. The eaglet hatched with the brood of chicks and grew up with them. All his life the eagle did what the barnyard chicks did, thinking he was a barnyard chicken. He scratched the earth for worms and insects. He clucked and cackled. And he would thrash his wings and fly a few feet into the air.
Years passed and the eagle grew very old. One day he saw a magnificent bird above him in the cloudless sky. It glided in graceful majesty among the powerful wind currents, with scarcely a beat of its strong golden wings. The old eagle looked up in awe. “Who’s that?” he asked. “That’s the eagle, the king of the birds,” said his neighbor. “He belongs to the sky. We belong to the earth—we’re chickens.” So the eagle lived and died a chicken, for that’s what he thought he was.
Today on the program, we are talking about Relationships; specifically, we want to look at the LAW OF ASSOCIATION.
Spiritual Principle
“He that walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm, (or destruction).” – Proverbs 13:20
“Do not be deceived and misled! Evil (ungodly) companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and moral and character.” – I Corinthians 15:33
Many times, we underestimate the POWER of relationships. When involved (especially at a heart level) with someone in relationship, a soul tie is formed. Keep in mind that not all soul ties are ungodly or unhealthy; however, it is imperative that we carefully examine past and present relationships to see them how God sees them.
Characteristics of Godly Relationships
- The other person involved in your life is committed to your spiritual growth
- This person is as concerned about YOUR well being and success as you are
- You should NEVER be in the position of always having to be the giver
- The relationship that is GODLY gives and receives with JOY
- A Godly relationship does not cause you to violate your conscience, or walk against the plan and will of God for your life
- A Godly relationship does not manipulate through anger or control, but rather, it motivates through love
The Law of Association
- Your life will rise or fall to the level of your associations/relationships
- If you want to know where you are going in life, just look at your friends!
Check The Fruit:
“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.” – Matthew 7:16-18
Who are you YOKED with?
A yoke is a wooden instrument that BINDS two oxen together. Its purpose is to cause them to only be able to walk TOGETHER. Imagine trying to move on with your life in a new and Godly direction, being YOKED together with someone or something that is moving in an opposite direction. It creates strife, confusion, guilt, frustration, etc.
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? – II Corinthians 6:14
Associations to be considered:
- Old relationships
- Gifts
- Experiences with friend
- Old jobs
- Old church
- Old anointings
- Ungodly relationships
- People who don’t want to see you succeed, but you are still tied to them
- People who do not love you
- People who are not walking after God
- People who are broke and struggling
Exercise/Homework
- Ask God to reveal these to you
- Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what areas of your life are being impacted by these
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
• What does a healthy relationship look like?
• How can you gauge which relationships are good for you, and which ones are not?
• Are there certain characteristics to look for?
Today on the program, we will be looking at ‘The 7 Quality Characteristic of a Healthy, Life Giving Relationships”
Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 18:24
A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
‘The 7 Quality Characteristic of a Healthy, Life Giving Relationships”
- Love (as thyself)
- Honor: Celebration of difference
- Truth, Honesty, and Integrity
- Mutual Respect
- 5. Trust
- Covenant – Faithfulness, Loyalty, Commitment
- Reciprocity – An exchange of life
QUESTIONS:
- Assess the relationships in your life today. How do they measure up to these qualities?
- Are YOU functioning on a high level in your relationships with others?
- What relationships do you have in your life that you realize are NOT healthy, life giving relationships?
NEXT WEEK: Next week, I am going to continue talking about relationships. Specifically, I will be dealing with ‘The Law of Association”
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
In this episode, we continue talking about RELATIONSHIPS.
- How do we navigate changes in relationships?
- Are all relationships meant to last for a lifetime?
- What do you do when a relationship is TESTED?
- What do you do when a relationship’s season has come to an end
- How do we steward the transitions in relationships from one level to another.
Today on the program, we will be looking at these kinds of questions, and talking about ‘How To Deal With Testing and Changes in Relationships’.
Spiritual Principle
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—
2 A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
Today, I want us to look at the inevitable TESTING and CHANGE that must come to every relationship, and how you can steward it in a way that produces a Godly result
The natural/organic path of a relationship is GROWTH. In fact …
Living things GROW; growing things CHANGE~
There are THREE things that can bring change (positive or negative) in a relationship:
- Testing
- Seasons
- Personal Choice
TESTING
- A traumatic event
- An offense
- Hurt feelings
- Hard words
- Betrayal
Over -reaction to any of these can produce an unwanted outcome. A mature individual who truly values relationship will be careful to steward the testing with a hope to graduate the relationship to another level. If you pass the test, you graduate to the next level. Now you get to enjoy the status, benefits, and joy of what the next level can produce in your life
SEASONS
Not every relationship is for every season. Sometimes God will send a person into your life, and for a month, or several years, that person will have a significant role in your life, BUT, in another season, that relationship is no longer as meaningful.
- High School, College, Personal Development, Mentoring, etc.
- As you move from one season to another in your life, the relationships in your life have to adjust to your new season, grow with you, or be left behind
- As you move from one level in your life to another, NOT EVERYONE IN YOUR LIFE CAN OR WILL GO WITH YOU
PERSONAL CHOICE
Much like above, when you DECIDE to make significant changes in your life, or in the direction you are going in your life, this creates a demand on your present relationships that must be answered. A 3 degree course change … over time creates a distance between you and those you used to track with. People feel as though you have abandoned them, disconnected, moved on, when in fact, you simply answered God’s call to change directions.
7 Things you can do WHEN A RELATIONSHIP IS TESTED
- Don’t react … Be Still
- Pray
- Look in the mirror and take accountability
- When your heart is right … go to the person and talk with them
- Seek to understand
- Offer and receive forgiveness
- Reset
7 Things to check WHEN A RELATIONSHIP seems to be changing
- Understand your season
- Is the relationship ending or changing?
- What is God requiring of you?
- Has your change in direction constituted a separation or an adjustment?
- Is this relationship moving from one level to another?
- Has the relationship become toxic or limiting to your moving with God in this season?
- Does this relationship ADD to you, or TAKE from you?
QUESTIONS:
- Are there relationships in your life today that you know need attention?
- Have you experienced this TESTING and feel as though you left it undone?
- Is there someone you need to make things right with?
- Is there a relationship that you know God is requiring you to let go of?
- Are you willing to trust Him with your relationships?
WHEN YOU MAKE SPACE, GOD SENDS NEW THINGS
NEXT WEEK:
Next week, I am going to continue talking about relationships. Specifically, I will be dealing with ‘The 7 Quality Characteristics of a Healthy, Life Giving Relationship’
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
- What is life outside of relationships?
- How do we classify or categorize our relationships?
- Do relationships change in seasons of our lives?
- How do we navigate relationships when conflict or tests come?
Today, we’re going to be looking at these questions, and talking about ‘Understanding and Navigating the 5 Levels of Relationships’
Spiritual Principle
He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. – Proverbs 13:20
A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. – Proverbs 17:17
I am deeply concerned about the state of relationships these days. While the advances of technology are wonderful, my fear is that electronic engagement has replaced heart level relationships. This is not the main points of this program, but a friend on Facebook does not (and should not) make you feel as though you possess some valuable relationship. Texting does not constitute real conversation that adds value to you or the person with whom you are texting.
Another concern that I have is that these kinds of relationship points have become EASY, COMFORTABLE, and cop-out ways to feel as though we are not isolated … alone. GOD DID NOT CREATE US TO DO LIFE ALONE!
A great mentor and friend shared with me …
“You only need two things to succeed in life … Relationships and Resources. If you have to choose between the two, always choose relationships, for true relationships will always open the way for resources.”
You can have all the money in the world, and have no meaningful relationships, and you are BROKE. You can have access to all kinds of resources, but if there is not a group of people that you exchange life with, you will ultimately be unfulfilled.
- We are interconnected
- We are inter-dependent
- We are designed by God to have meaningful connections, relationships, and interface
So many people evolve into beings of aloneness as a result of life’s wounds and hurts. As long as we deal with people, we will be disappointed, we will experience hurt, we will find and engage with imperfection. But this cannot drive us to being alone. This cannot make us people who dis-engage with communities, and friends, and loved ones. We need each other, and our destiny is tied to people.
Kinds of Relationships
- Family
- Mentors, Teachers, Spiritual Leaders
- Friends and Peers
- Workplace Relationships
- Casual Acquaintances
It is imperative that we know WHO WE ARE so that we can accurately and effectively identify where each relationship fits.
The Circle Test:
- Self – Know who you are
- Family – wife, children, mother, father, siblings, etc.
- Close friends – HOW CLOSE ARE THEY REALLY?
- Acquaintances/Tribe
- The Crowd
- Enemies/Fools
If God brings someone into your life that is meant to be a friend, and you keep them on the outside in your tribe, then you’ve missed an opportunity to receive and benefit from that exchange of life. Conversely, someone who is in your orbit and is intended to be just a crowd person or even an acquaintance, but you bring them into the CLOSE FRIEND circle, that relationship is destined to be one that takes from you, but ultimately does not reciprocate. Worse, is when you allow a FOOL into your inner circle, and their influence, attitudes, lack of willingness to grow, and overall lack of character begins to affect your own ability to pursue what God has for you
Every person has the potential for greatness, therefore every person has the potential to add something of value to your life, HOWEVER, one must use discernment in understanding where that person is in their journey, because not every relationship is right for this SEASON.
What I Know About Relationships
- Some relationships are for certain SEASONS. When that season has come to an end, it is not wise to continue to invest into the relationship, as you will drain yourself of the very resources
- Some relationships are covenantal in nature, and are sent by God to be LIFETIME relationships
- Some relationships are SITUATIONAL such as business relationships, educational, etc. Most times, these are also temporary
- Some relationships are STRATEGIC, and they have to do with your assignment in a particular season
- All (healthy) relationships are given by God to be mutually beneficial, and for the common good
NEXT WEEK:
Next week, I am going to continue talking about relationships. Specifically, I will be dealing with ‘What To Do When Relationships Are Tested.”
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
What does it mean to be a Lifestyle Learner? How can you gain the knowledge and expertise in an area of interest? Is learning a VALUE, a DISCIPLINE, or both? Is it possible to gain a world class education outside of a university or college setting? Today, we’re going to be looking at these questions, and talking about 7 Ways You Can Become A Lifestyle Learner.
Spiritual Principle
“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands seek guidance.” – Proverbs 1:5 (ESV)
“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. – Proverbs 18:15 (ESV)
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed …” – II Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Becoming a lifelong learner begins with the understanding that the acquisition of new knowledge is the key to successful and effective living. In fact, the moment we suppose that we have arrived or know all we need to know, is the very moment we begin to diminish and become irrelevant and of no worth. Learning, growing, feeding our minds, developing our potential are all pre-requisites to significant opportunities coming our way
“Anyone who stops learning is OLD, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” (Henry Ford).
For me, learning is one of my top 5 values. I crave knowing … I am always looking for ways to enhance or build my knowledge base. Classic thinking is that one goes to school, graduates, goes to college, gets a job, and BAM, success is inevitable. Amongst evangelical Christians, one gets saved, attends church once per week, hears a sermon (remembers less than 1% of the content shared), and expects to live a victorious, powerful, purpose filled, blessed life.
Both of these scenarios have very flawed logic.
- So how do I continuously grow and learn?
- How do I use my time to gather and acquire knowledge and information?
- What are my options if my desire is to become a learner?
7 Ways You Can Become a Knowledge Gatherer and a Lifestyle Learner:
1. Read Books, Audio Books or Book Summaries
- Audible.com
- Executive Book Summaries (www.summary.com)
- www.GetAbstract.com
2. Listen to Podcasts and other Audio Programs
- Any subject, and interest
- Make your vehicle a University on Wheels
3. Read Blogs
4. ONLINE Courses in specialized areas
5. Attend conferences and workshops
- Health and Wellness
- Platform
- Speaking
- Coaching
- Tradeshows
- Leadership Summits
- Ministry
6. School/College/Certifications
- Coaching
- Real Estate
- Accounting
- Nursing
- Specialized areas
- Etc.
7. Ask
- Who is already doing what you want to do?
- What experts do you admire?
- Get in their space, take them to lunch
I want to encourage you today to become a LIFESTYLE LEARNER. Turn off the TV, plug in a CD, DVD, or electronic resource and LEARN. Turn off Sports Radio, Talk Shows, and use the precious time you have to GROW YOUR MIND.
Many times, the reason people never realize their full potential is because God, in his graciousness, never put us in a position where we would shame ourselves by not being prepared for the moment. You have powerful potential … What will you do with it?
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
We talk often about the fact that God has specific PLANS for each of our lives – (Jeremiah 29:11). We also believe that every one of us were born for, and with, a purpose; a unique assignment – (Jeremiah 1). We further understand that each of us are given unique GIFTS, graces, talents, skills, abilities; and that our unique gifts are intended to FIT TOGETHER with other’s uniqueness’s to form ONE BODY (I Cor. 12)
It is obvious in scripture that God did NOT intend for His Body to be uniform; every part exactly the same; every person looking, sounding, saying, and doing the same things. In fact, diversity is seen in every part of God’s design. We all identify IN CHRIST, but we all possess a unique identity, purpose, calling, and destiny.
So how do we discover, develop, and deliver on our unique design? How do we engage our purpose and calling? In this episode, I am going to introduce to you the 7 Steps each person must go through to achieve Destiny Activation.
7 Steps to Destiny Activation
1. Examination
The Psalmist David was a master at this. He regularly looked INWARD, and considered his heart, his ways, his path, and the direction his life was taking. In order to move beyond where you have been or where you are, it is imperative to understand what got you here.
- Beliefs, mindsets, attitudes, fears, etc.
- One must be willing to ASK the hard questions
- Am I happy doing what I am doing?
- Am I fulfilled?
- Am I doing what I was created to do?
- Is my life glorifying God and His Kingdom?
- What habits do I live, and are they serving God’s plans for my life
90% of WHERE you are is a result of what is on the inside; NOT because of external issues
2. Transformation
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2
Transformation is the movement FROM one thing TO another; or one WAY to another. It is the operation of changing one configuration or expression into another: a change of variables or coordinates in which a function of new variables or coordinates is substituted for each original variable or coordinate. If I continue to allow the world to CONFORM me into its image or way of thinking, I will continue to see the same results and outcome.
3. Revelation
- Who Are You, and Why Are You here?
- What is my purpose?
- What sphere am I called to engage and influence?
- What people group am I born to impact?
- The I AM factor
4. Clarification
This is the process of discovering, honing in on, and getting clear on the WHAT, the WHY, and the HOW
5. Justification
- Spiritual headship and alignment
- Covering and accountability
- Relationships/Friendships
- Strategic connections and influences
- Partnerships and alliances
- Collaboration and connectedness
6. Preparation
15 Be diligent (STUDY) to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15
You cannot give what you do not have. It is important to know that God does NOT anoint ignorance or lack of ability. The anointing enhances and multiplies what you already possess. School, certifications, read books, learn a skill or trade, speaking, writing, etc. If you are called to be a writer, you must become a student of writing, etc. Some examples are:
- Olympics – these people prepare YEARS for a 30 second performance
- Jesus prepared 30 years for a 3 year gig
7. Affirmation
The apostles commended gifts to the larger body of people. In the Hebrew culture, and in many other cultures around the world, son’s are blessed and affirmed by their fathers. Workers were sent FROM the place where they had proven their gift and faithfulness. Jesus, before he was activated in His purpose was affirmed publicly by the Father. “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased!”
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
It is an honor for me to introduce you to my dear friend and colleague, Dan Miller. I met Dan originally in Atlanta in May of 2012. Since that time, I have been reading his books and blogs, listening to his podcast, and participating in his 48Days Community on a regular basis. Dan is one of the most genuine people I know, and I have come to respect him a great deal. Recently, Sabrina and I were privileged to spend a couple of Days with Dan and his family at their home in Franklin, TN. Our time there was extremely beneficial, and truly a delight. Dan has a tremendous gift of encouraging and inspiring people to DO what God created them to do. I know you will enjoy this interview.
Dan Miller’s Bio:
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
In this episode, we continue talking about your DREAMS. I recently conducted a seminar in which we focused a great deal on truly engaging the passions, dreams, and desires that God has put in one’s heart. Your destiny is tied directly to your dreams; your dreams originate with God; your success is totally depended on you fulfilling those dreams. As you embark on a New Beginning, let’s Discover, Engage, and Live Your Dreams!
Spiritual Principle
Ephesians 3:20 (TLB)
20 Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.
Joel 2:28 (NASB)
28 “It will come about after this, That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions.
WHAT IS A DREAM?
Dream – a condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration. (www.dictionary.com).
“A dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.” – John Maxwell
A number of years ago, Pastor Tommy Barnett wrote an article for Ministry Today magazine that spoke to this subject so well. I referenced this article at length in this podcast. The full article can be found HERE
- There is a dream inside of you that longs to be awakened. There is something that God Himself has seeded in your heart that is significant and will change your and others lives forever.
- What Dream have you dreamed?
- What dreams are God calling awake in you today?
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?
- Starting a Business
- Writing a book
- Singing
- Acting
- Ministry
- Job
- Travel
- Foundation
- TV Show
- Invention
- Other?
Homework
- Take time and write down what is coming to you mind and heart right now
- What do you feel the Father is awakening in you?
- Name the dream
- Make a list
- Be specific
- Describe it in details
- Write it, draw it, etc.
NEXT WEEK:
Next week my guest will be New York Times best-selling author, Dan Miller. We will be talking about finding your lane, doing what you love to do, and engaging in what God has created YOU to do. Dan is truly an expert in this area, and a gift to so many people around the world.
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Over the past several weeks, we have been sharing with you concepts about New Beginnings. This includes dealing with past hurts and disappointments, awakening dormant dreams, and becoming active in pursuing the NEW things God desires to bring us into. On this episode, I want to tell you that Nothing Changes Until Something Changes.
The truth is, what once moved you forward is now holding you back. What once set you free is now locking you in. What enabled you to get ‘here’ cannot take you there. – Unknown
Scriptural Principles
Proverbs 29:18
18 Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Habakkuk 2:1-3
2 I will stand on my guard post, And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved. 2 Then the Lord answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. 3 “For the vision is for the appointed time; It (VISION) hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.
As we enter fully into a new season (and a new year), it is imperative that we understand that …
“Nothing changes until something changes”
The fact is that we can dislike or be discontent with something, want desperately to experience something different so that we could feel different, YET … NEVER ever do that which is necessary to CHANGE the very situation that we are unhappy with.
One of the most debilitating beliefs in Christianity is that we once we’re saved, everything from that point on is going to happen outside of our control and will, and by osmosis, that which God has in mind for our lives is going to just show up and happen.
The truth is that God has a plan, but WE are expected by our heavenly Father to DO what is necessary for that plan to become a reality. You will never receive a degree, skill set, or education by supernatural download. You will never earn more income or create more wealth by simply praying for God to bless you. You ARE blessed, but a blessed man obtains wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, and executes. You see, God is a responsible Father, and He will not give you MORE, when you have yet to learn how to steward the little. We want Him to save us from our crisis, which was caused by our disobedience, which emanated from a lack of faith, without which no man can please God. This is NOT how following Him works.
- We follow … He leads
- He speaks … we answer
- He directs … we follow directions
- He corrects … we receive instruction
If you do not take intentional action for your future, nothing will change. 1 year from right now, your life will look exactly as it does today. Think about it (spiritually, financially, ministry, education, career, business, marriage, family, etc.)
Questions:
What has God spoken to you concerning your future?
What dreams has He placed in your heart?
What has He instructed you to DO that you have not yet done?
Are there any areas where you have disobeyed Him, ignored His calling, avoided the path?
What is He waiting on you to complete so that He can grant you access to something new?
What is God saying to you … TODAY?
What will you DO differently in 2014?
Great dreams are realized when real people are willing to change themselves, and put in the necessary work to see the dream manifest
If you’d like to COMMENT ON THIS EPISODE, please go to BrianHolmes.com/025, go to the show notes for this episode and scroll down to the comments section. I would love to hear from you— comment, question, or whatever.
Monday Jan 13, 2020
Monday Jan 13, 2020
At the onset of every ‘New Beginning‘, there is the realization that in order to have what you’ve never had, you have to di what you’ve never done. In order to do things you’ve never done before, it often requires us to face fears that in the past, we have not been willing to do. On this episode, I want to talk to you about THREE KINDS OF FEAR THAT YOU MUST OVERCOME if you want to experience the full measure of the New Beginning God desires to bring to your life.
Scriptural Principle
2 Timothy 1:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Philippians 4:12-14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
Definitions
Fear – (Merriam Webster)
- An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger
- An instance of this emotion
- A state marked by this emotion
- Anxious concern
- Profound reverence and awe especially toward God
- Reason for alarm
Fear is an emotion induced by a perceived threat which causes entities to quickly pull far away from it and usually hide. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. In short, fear is the ability to recognize danger leading to an urge to confront it or flee from it (also known as the fight-or-flight response) but in extreme cases of fear (horror and terror) a freeze or paralysis response is possible.
Fear is frequently related to the specific behaviors of escape and avoidance, whereas anxiety is the result of threats, which are perceived to be uncontrollable or unavoidable. It is worth noting that fear almost always relates to future events, such as worsening of a situation, or continuation of a situation that is unacceptable. Fear can be a manipulating and controlling factor in an individual’s life.
With these definitions as a backdrop, let us look at THREE categories of fear that so often causes us to limit the work of God in our lives
1. Fear of Man
Throughout World History, the fear of man has been seen in action. Nations have risen and fallen on the basis of this fear, or the ability to move beyond it. This fear is a very real thing; one that has empowered some, and paralyzed others. This fear (like all fear) is the antithesis of faith; it is the cancelling agent of faith.
The fear of man comes in many forms, and is one of the most dominant of the fears
- The opinions of others
- More concerned with what people think (or may think) about you than what God has SAID about you
- Perceived status or lack thereof
- If I don’t hold a certain rank, position, or title, I will not have the respect of men. We exaggerate our resume to impress men, rather than walk confidently in who we really are
- Loss of approval
- If I DO what I know to do, and follow the direction God is leading, my boss, my family, my friends may not agree, and I may lose my approval. Men seek approval, and often times do so to the detriment of their own soul
- Loss of love
- I’ll just keep the peace. I will do what I have to because I do not want to lose the love and acceptance of people
- Performance/reward (am I good enough to impress)
- I do and do and do to impress. I stress myself out to perform up to someone’s expectation so I can maintain my status with them (love, approval, acceptance)
- Fear of enemies or opposition (go along to get along)
- Many times we tolerate unrighteousness and injustice out of fear of reprisal. We do what we do not out of a motivation to succeed, but out of fear of consequence and punishment if we do not do it ‘right’
- We are conditioned to avoid conflict; YET, the Bible tells us that we are engaged in warfare that is not of this world. Satan uses MEN to intimidate, oppose, and even undermine the intentions of God in our lives.We must look beyond the MAN, and see the God who has assured us the victory
- Fear of rejection
- So many have experienced the sting of rejection. From parents, friends, pastors, spouses or other love interests. Once you have experienced this, we tend to live our lives in defense mode. We become isolated and alone, and this was never God’s intent. Jesus was despised AND rejected for our sake, so we would not have to live in fear of it
- Fear of job loss/financial ruin
- This is a fear of man, in that we actually believe that MAN is our provider. We walk on eggshells in fear of getting fired, getting laid off, having our benefits decreased, having our pay scale decreased. This is a mammon spirit that causes us to fear men.
- People pleasing vs. God pleasing
2. Fear of Risk/Failure
Dreams are realized ONLY when we act upon them. Destinies are revealed and potential is manifest ONLY when we take what is possible, and actually MAKE IT so. Success and fulfillment ONLY comes to those who are willing to risk the present for the sake of a better future. The best things in life come to those who look risk and even failure in the eye, and DO IT anyway. Faith without works is DEAD
2 Timothy tells us that God has NOT given us the spirit of fear.
Fear is a spirit that is released and utilized by our enemy to paralyze us … to cause us to be unable to ACT on God’s Word. When our promise or destiny is directly in front of us, whether or not we possess it and experience the benefits of it are completely contingent upon our willingness and ability to look FEAR dead on, and go in anyway. Fear does not take into account the sovereignty of God. Fear will talk you out of the very thing you long for.
Fear of risk and failure will cheat you out of the joy and success of what COULD BE; and lock you into the WHAT IS. Subjecting yourself to fear of failure or fear of risk will lock you into the present, and keep you from having what God has determined in His own mind he wants you to have
- Self-preservation is almost always the product of FEAR
- One of the ways we limit God is by allowing (and I do mean allowing) the fear of RISK and the fear of FAILURE to paralyze us, and rob us of our potential
- Potential is just that … potential. It has no power unless someone acts on it, and causes it to become a reality
Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins. – Charles Stanley
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“Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won’t suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when that person looks back – and at some point everyone looks back – she will hear her heart saying, “What have you done with the miracles that God planted in your days? What have you done with the talents God bestowed on you? You buried yourself in a cave because you were fearful of losing those talents. So this is your heritage; the certainty that you wasted your life.” – Paulo Coelho
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“If we listened to our intellect, we’d never have a love affair. We’d never have a friendship. We’d never go into business, because we’d be cynical. Well, that’s nonsense. You’ve got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.” – Ray Bradbury
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Questions:
- What fears have you been contending with, possibly for years?
- Are you ready to face those, push in, and press beyond those fears to accomplish your destiny?
- Will 2014 be your year of breakthrough?
If God said you can, you can … in spite of the obstacles.
Philippians 4:12-14 (NASB)
3 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.