Choosing to Live Boldly « Wayne Hastings

The following is an excerpt from my latest book, The Way Back From Loss:

“Our boldness doesn’t lie in our own faith, which can quickly melt into fear. Our confidence to move into deeper spiritual waters and take on spiritual adversaries rests in the faith of Jesus who lives and abides within us.”^{^[i]} —T. D. Jakes

Today’s Verse: “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.” (Psalm 3:6 AMP)

Just because we’re fearful doesn’t mean we have to live in fear or be controlled by our fear. We can choose to be bold and unafraid, even in the midst of the pain of our loss.

Psalm 3 speaks of a time when many people are rising up against David. Instead of being paralyzed or swallowed up by the fear he’s experiencing, David says, “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head” (verse 3 AMP). He turns his fear of his enemies over to God. His fear is met, head on, by faith.

How does David, in spite of his enemies, turn from fear to faith?

He begins by worshipping the Lord. He doesn’t fall into the trap we often do of just focusing on our negative circumstances. Instead, David worships. Have you ever been stuck emotionally? Take David’s advice and worship God. Turn on some praise music, hum an old hymn, or simply read your Bible. Worship gives us boldness.

David also remembers God’s character. He pushes his fear through the filter of who God is, and as he remembers this, and all that God has done for Him, his fears begin to diminish and be replaced by faith.

Then, David prays. Verse 4 says, “With my voice I cry to the Lord” (AMP). He worships, remembers, and then he cries out to the living God for boldness. He doesn’t try to run from his fear or deny it. He literally screams for help and he expectantly believes that he will receive it. Why? Because he worshipped and remembered first. He invited God’s presence, and he knew who God was, so he could boldly and expectantly seek Him in prayer.

David is peaceful before his enemies: “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me.” David’s faith triumphs over his fears. As is often said, God never promises to change our circumstances; God always promises to change us.

With the assurance of who God is and with peace in his heart, David is ready for any battle. He calls upon the Lord to fight and is confident of the outcome. He may be fearful, but he’s not controlled by his fear.

INSIGHT: We must make a decision to live boldly, trusting in God to fight the enemies that seek to keep us in the bitterness, loneliness, and guilt associated with loss.

PRAYER: Seek God in worship. Read His Word and ask Him to reveal His character to you. Ask specifically for boldness when the Enemy whispers negative or worrisome thoughts in your ear. Pray believing that God will lead you in the battle.

LIFE CHOICES:

Study Psalm 3 and Matthew 10:1; 28:18. What kind of power do you see from God? How can this power help you to live boldly in spite of your feelings?
Understand that when you trust and believe God, going into battle is secure. It is God who delivers those who love Him and it is God who gives them victory over their fears.
Discover David’s plan of action. He shows us in Psalm 3 who fights these battles for us, and how we are to fight. It is in prayer that we conquer fear; it’s where fear is met with faith.

^{^[i]} T.D. Jakes, Life Overflowing: 6 Pillars for Abundant Living, (Minneapolis, MN, Bethany House Publishers, 2008), E-book edition.