Hello Everyone and Good Morning! It’s Saturday morning and I was wide awake close to 6:30am.  This is what happens when you run on fumes for 4 days and it allll catches up to you.  When I woke up this morning, I woke up clear headed ready for a new day.  As much as I tried to work on my book last night my mind and body were telling me otherwise.  I was exhausted and my body and mind were telling me it was time to rest.  So this morning when I woke up, refreshed and renewed I had  a verse pop in my head.  2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  This is the NKJV version and in the NIV Woman’s Study Bible it reads, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline”

Often what keeps us from doing the things we envision for our lives or to seek out something new in life, to take that bold step to change, FEAR comes in and takes over.  We allow that fear to keep us where we are at.  Fear is the DEVIL I tell you!  The DEVIL!  (imagine I’m saying that in the voice of the Waterboy’s momma) LOL  But it’s true!  The fear you are feeling today, that insecurity of not being able to do something different in your career, or maybe it’s a ministry you are thinking of starting but just don’t think you are qualified, or maybe it’s a major move to a new city you have contemplated over and over again.  If you allow a feeling, FEAR, yes it’s just a feeling, to control you and keep you from doing what your heart cries out for you are doing yourself a disservice.  You are not accepting that gift of courage, strength, power, self-discipline and love that God has given you.  Instead you are accepting what the devil gave you…FEAR.  Your mind will just plague you with whys and why nots over and over keeping you from having that sound peaceful mind.  God will tug and tug at your heart if it’s HIS vision for your life.  So why continue to allow a FEELING, to keep you from pursuing your dreams, your visions, your goals in life?  Change brings wonderful things.  New experiences.  New challenges.  New friends.  New environments.  I could go on and on but one thing I know is true, is that change will also bring you peace of mind when it’s something that has kept you from having the rest you so rightfully deserve.

Today I challenge you to step out in faith, be courageous and take hold of that precious gift from God.  Stand bold and tall against the fear that is trying to hold you back.  Break the chains of fear today and believe that what is in your heart right this very moment is your spirit of power and courage ready to break out and take you a step into your vision.  Today take on the courageous bold attitude David had when he stood there, a mere shepherd boy in everyone’s eyes, and he not only called out Goliath with a challenge of battle but he DEFEATED him!  Today, go and challenge the Goliath (FEAR) and get ready to conquer and defeat!

XOXO…Ileen

psst…God Loves You