FAITH CAPSULE: It is possible to be afraid but do not be reduced by fear.

Matthew 14:22-33

There will always be a reason to be afraid but it should never be enough for one to be reduced by fear. The situation which one fears will find one out. Job was testified by God, “…Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8) Can anyone imagine a man of great stature in the hand of God being reduced by fear? By virtue of Job’s testimonies, he has reason to be afraid but his reason should not have been enough for him to be reduced by fear. After the death of his children he gave his testimonies, “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.” (Job 3:25) It is possible to be afraid but one should not be reduced by fear.
Just like Job God also testified David through Samuel, “…The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart…” (1 Samuel 13:14) Several times he was in place to be reduced from being afraid into fear but was always encouraged by the word of God. In one of David’s testimony, he stated, “My enemies would hound me all day, for there are many who fight against me, O Most High. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:2-4) Despite enemies that were hounding David, being afraid could not reduce him to fear. David, in this testimony, stated what it takes not to be reduced to fear: he trusted God and he was praising Him in His word. David constantly held onto the wondrous and unusual acts of God.
Are you looking at your situation in the face? Peter once looked at his situation in the face and was reduced to fear. While in the middle of storm, Jesus walked on the stormy water. As he approached the disciples, Peter requested from Jesus to join Him to walk on the stormy water. Jesus responded “…Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”” (Matthew 14:29-30) Peter looked and saw the situation instead of keeping eyes on the Living Word of God. Peter, from being afraid, he began to cry for help (his evidence of fear) Fear in the face of situation will sink you but faith in the Living Word of God (Jesus) will raise you.

Prayer for today: Ask God to deliver you from the spirit of fear.