I've experienced panic attacks and crippling anxiety for most of my life. So after becoming a Christian, I expected God to give me that one-time, spiritual zap that would forever free me from this fear. I waited. I prayed. I rebuked. I read scripture upon scripture. But, nothing was happening. It seemed as if my prayers were not being answered.

Then one day, I experienced a life-changing realization: God does not come into our lives to take away our problems. Rather, he comes into our lives to give us the strength we need to overcome them. I was waiting for God, but he was waiting for me.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

You see, God does not call us to be escape artists. He calls us to be overcomers. Why? So that he can be glorified in all the earth. I take no credit in the strength I have in overcoming these fears. It's all God. The peace I have and the peace I share all comes from God.

Here's what Jesus promises to those who overcome:

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7b).

"He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death" (Revelation 2:11b).

"To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it" (Revelation 2:17b).

"To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations" (Revelation 2:26).

"He who overcomes will be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels" (Revelation 3:5).

"To him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God" (Revelation 3:12a).

"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne" (Revelation 3:21).

I pray that you will have an overcoming week!

Blessings!

Russell

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|  Russell Pond     <><
|  Season of Peace
|  email:  ponder@season.org
|  web:    http://www.season.org

© Russell Pond 1999
Reprinted with permission