Topic: No More Dread [Joyce Meyer Devotional 21 August 2020]
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Adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), and in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), and in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love.— 2 Peter 1:5-7 (AMPC)
Does the thought of something like mowing the lawn get you discouraged? Do you think, Oh man, I wish I didn’t have to mow the lawn today—I really dread it. I wish I could just go shopping or do something fun. If so, you’re not abnormal. We all have moments where we’re tempted to think that way, but the good news is, God has given you the spirit of self-control, and you can choose what you’ll think about in any situation (see 2 Timothy 1:7). You can also choose to do what you know is right, even if you don’t feel like it in the moment.
Dale Carnegie said, “You can conquer almost any fear if you will only make up your mind to do so. For remember, fear doesn’t exist anywhere except in the mind.”
We can conquer worry and fear, and we can conquer dread. God has already given us a spirit of self-control, so when we use it, we can experience real freedom from fear and dread. If you’re struggling with fear, I encourage you to ask God to help you exercise the self-control He’s given you, and He will!
Prayer Starter: Lord, thank You that I don’t have to live solely by what I feel. Please help me operate in the self-control You’ve given me so I can experience Your peace today. In Jesus’ Name, amen
