“But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord,”
JAMES 1:6-7 AMP http://bible.com/1588/jas.1.6-7.amp
Doubting God’s willingness to help us is the core of every other doubt we struggle with.
When we doubt His willingness, we are doubting His Character, which is only Good.
When I began this endeavor to be rid of fear, I asked the Lord to deliver me.
I was done with quoting scripture like a parrot, and yet not being fully persuaded that what I was saying would have any weight.
I didn’t realize how much Fear I had.
There is a root to fear and it is grounded in Pride.
Fear doesn’t believe God is Good.
Doubt is uncertain.
Not fully persuaded one way or the other.
Doubt is in relation to fear, but the difference is that doubt starts in faith.
Let me give you an example;
| And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. |
| 27 ¶ But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. |
| 28 ¶ And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. |
| 29 ¶ And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. |
| 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. |
| 31 ¶ And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? |
Notice a couple of things with me.
It was Jesus walking on the water, and although these men were aquatinted with Jesus,
and even spent lots of time with Him,
they were still afraid and questioning whether or not it was Him.
(Man, the enemy tried beating the tar out of me because I was having trouble discerning.
Anybody else ever struggled with that?
Peter did.
So this is an example of how Jesus would respond to you and I, today.
He doesn’t change.
The more condemned I was, for doubting, the more the fear grew.
I didn’t realize, I was operating in my own strength.
Not taking the hand Jesus was holding out to me.
Trying to discern is of the flesh.
Resting in the Promise that you are His Sheep and you Hear His Voice, is rooted in His Provision and not yours.)
Then Jesus says to them,
all of them,
including Peter,
Be Of Good Cheer, it IS I….
Yet, Peter still doubts and says, Lord, “if” it is you,
then bid me….
Oh my Goodness, How I adore Jesus.
He is Love. He is patient.
So, Peter steps out,
In Faith…
Just like you and me.
But then,
there are waves.
I don’t know what kind of waves are taking your attention off of Jesus right now, but God is sending you reinforcement through this message ….
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
That it is Him, That He is Good, and that He catches you even when you do fall.
After all of the waves of Guilt and Shame, and Condemnation,
and Pride and thoughts….
came the Word of the Lord again to me….
“What Kind Of Father”
Remember the first part?
Let us ask for wisdom, believing God is Good and wants to help…
He said to me, “Chelsea, what Kind Of Father, if His daughter asked to be delivered from fear,
would hurt her in the process and abandon her to fight Alone?”
“If evil parents give good gifts to their children, How could I ever give you something for your harm?”
God didn’t send the waves to sink Peter. The enemy did.
But the Master, is standing right in front of you, at arms length, cheering you on.
Reach for Him, believing He will catch you,
and keep with you until you make it!
What kind of Father would sacrifice His Son for you, and then leave you to struggle alone?
Not my Father.
ThankFully Restored 