Category: Fear

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Stay focussed – ignore the destructive critics

When David arrived at the battlefield with supplies not everyone was excited to see him or to hear him ask questions about fighting the giant. David’s oldest brother, Eliab, became angry at David and accused him of having wrong motives, telling David that he was only a shepherd boy, and a wicked and conceited one at that. Clearly, Eliab was harboring some offense in his heart toward David one being overlooked as the future King of Israel. In that day, being the eldest male child was a position of great significance. It came with responsibility and authority within the family. 

Not only did David receive harsh criticism from his brother, but he also received negative and critical feedback from King Saul. When David presented his idea to the king, Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth” (1 Sam. 17:33). Yet David felt so confident in God’s calling that even the king’s criticism seems to have had little impact on him. For David, showing up to face Goliath involved ignoring the criticism and questioning of his brothers and King Saul and refusing to give in to the fears that often accompany criticism from others. Continue reading “Stay focussed – ignore the destructive critics”

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I Run at My Goliaths (Overcoming procrastination) 

From ebook Victorious Mindsets by Steve Backlund

“So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:48). 

David’s passion was demonstrated when he ran at Goliath. He did not hesitate, but aggressively confronted the obstacle in his way. He ran at his problem and not away from it. He understood that procrastination would just make the problem bigger (and Goliath was pretty big already!) 

I have a question for you: Are you running from things or to things? Those with victorious mindsets are learning to run at those things that are difficult to face. They know that procrastination drains power from life. They know that it usually won’t get easier later, so we must “bite the bullet” now and face our giants.  Continue reading “I Run at My Goliaths (Overcoming procrastination) “

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The Coming of Jesus in our Midst

Behold I stand at the door and knock: if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to them and eat with them, and they we me. 
Revelation 3:20

When early Christianity spoke of the return of the Lord Jesus, they thought of the great day of judgement – not a very Christmasy thought. But they were on point. When you hear Jesus knocking our conscience ought to be asking the question – Are you prepared? Is our heart capable of becoming God’s dwelling place?

This Advent season is a time of self-examination – it reminds of the first coming of Christ but also the second and final coming, and that ought to make us tremble. Continue reading “The Coming of Jesus in our Midst”

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“Joshua, Moses is Dead”

adapted from a blog by Steve Backlund  ‘Igniting Hope Ministries’

“I wish things were like they used to be.” Most people have felt this when there has been the loss of a person, security, or a good experience. It could be:

  • The loss of an important family member or mentor
  • The loss of youth
  • The loss of confidence in the direction of their nation
  • The loss of life as we new it

Joshua knew Moses had died, but it appears he did not accept it. He needed to be jolted out of disappointment and fear by accepting that the “Moses season” was over so he could embrace what God was doing and saying. Concerning this, the first two verses of Joshua chapter one are fascinating.

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ‘Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan’” (Joshua 1:1-2).

God was basically saying, “Joshua, Moses is really dead. You have to move out of denial and arise into your calling and assignment. You must overcome clinging to the past. It is a new day for you that will bring out the greatness in you and those you lead. Continue reading ““Joshua, Moses is Dead””

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Creeping Fear

Earlier this week I found myself feeling more and more anxious. Those of us tuned into anxiety or have a history with being motivated or manipulated by fear can and should notice anxiety or fear creeping in. The trigger for me was the complex and deadly situation unfolding in Victoria and bleeding out into surrounding states, with the all to real possibility of that transmission creeping northward. One consolation was that at least I would know what to do if we had a second phase. Nevertheless, even with that small consolation I noticed, thank you Jesus, that fear was creeping in. Where there is fear love goes. So I found myself looking at every number plate and passing judgement if they were the wrong flavour. Instead of ‘we are all in this together’ it was becoming ‘us and them’. The ‘them’ were for me our modern day lepers! We all know the best thing to do with lepers – identify them as ‘unclean’ , quarantine, isolation, and rejection. Continue reading “Creeping Fear”