Fear Not! A Journey From Fear To Freedom预览

  

He Will Lift You Up

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:5–7, NIV). 

A wild horse cannot be ridden until he has been broken, and until the horse is broken he is of no practical use. But once the horse is broken, he can be a tremendous asset. A proud man is much the same way as an unbroken horse; he is of no real use to God until he is broken. Once a man’s pride is broken, then God can use him. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word” (Isa. 66:2, NIV). 

Most proud people don’t want to be dependent upon anyone or anything. They take pride in being able to fend for themselves. God, on the other hand, loves it when His children are dependent upon Him. A proud person is probably reluctant to even admit he/she has anxieties. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Don’t let your pride get in the way of your freedom. 

How many other people out there really want to listen to your problems, your issues, and your challenges? God, however, encourages you to give them to Him, and the best part is—He wants it all! Why? You ask. Because He cares for you! 

Are there some things you are holding on to that make you anxious? If so, why do you continue holding on to them? There is an old saying, “Possession is nine-tenths of the law,” meaning it is easier for the owner to keep something if he is in possession of it. Don’t expect God to come in and steal your anxieties from you. But if you ask, He will graciously take them off your hands. “Many are the affictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Ps. 34:19). 

If you are holding on to your pride, God can’t use you. But if you will humble yourself by telling the Lord you can’t do it on your own, He will lift you up! Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You really do care for me. Forgive me for not taking every anxious thought to You in prayer. I confess to having pride issues and trying to do it on my own. May I humble myself before You and admit I can’t do it under my own strength. I need You. In Jesus name, amen.