Sometimes I feel like a failure.

Whether it’s feeling overwhelmed, “I don’t have enough money”, “there’s not enough time”, or just being lazy, a fear of failure or the fear of success, or the classic “I’ll get to it later”, sometimes things just don’t get done.

What else can go wrong?

So many things, including:
– Unexpected car repairs: ~$600
– Two computers that stopped working
– Late for work
– Misplaced paperwork
And, that’s just in the last three days

How Can We Fight Back?

Here’s a formula I’m using:

 While driving through the mountains of Colorado more than once I felt afraid.  While there are times when fear is unwarranted, trying to drive along a road, without guardrails, with blind curves which with almost 180-degree turns, I felt the discomfort — my fear — was justified.

Some fears are justified, some not.  Sometimes we’re blinded by fear. 1

Blinded By Fear

Robert McGee has identified nine reactions — what I’m calling blind spots — people have when encumbered by a fear of failure. 

Yesterday I identified the first four reactions, here are the other five:

Worry is a giant all of us face at one time or another.

When I face giants I find it helpful to shield myself from the lies the giant bellows.

Hear our four verses of six words to help you focus on God as you stand your ground while battling the giant of worry:

- Be anxious for nothing, but…pray [Philippians 4:6-7]
– Cast your burden on the Lord… [Psalm 55:22]
– Call upon me in the day of trouble… [Psalm 50:12]
– Casting all your care upon him… [1 Peter 5:7]

I’ve been thinking about peace and war for days now. On Sunday Steve Wiens talked about peace entitled “What Christ Left Us”. You can watch it here [after a Father's Day address].

My thoughts and Steve’s thoughts about peace continue to melt in my mind.

Feeling like I wanted to give you a chance to learn with me I present to you this week’s Message Tool provided as a follow up to the week’s message.

I hope that you find this exercise as meaningful as I am.

Practice:

Write out the following passage, Philippians 4:6-7, on a piece of paper.