what makes you uncomfortable?

What makes you uncomfortable?  What makes you shrug up your shoulders and squint up your eyes when you thing about it?

Everyone has something.

When you feel compassion towards someone or something, you want to help, you want to do something.

Then the fear, doubt, and discouragement starts.

You could never do that!

You are not smart enough!

You do not have the resources.

No one will understand, and they may think you are crazy!

These are just some of the voices we hear in our head when we make a decision to step outside of our comfort zone.

Where do these voices come from?

Why are they so quick to surface?

How do they know exactly what to say?

Here is the answer.

It's the enemy.  Pure and simple.

He has the spirit of fear and knows exactly how to use it on each and every one of us. 

He is an expert, and has been honing his craft for centuries upon centuries.

He is an aggressive anti-supporter who will tear out of the gate at all expense. 

He knows, when you step to the edge and peer out over the boundaries of your comfort zone, with that inquisitive look....it's time to act.

He knows, those first few minutes, hours, days are the most crucial.

If he can stop you there, he has won.

He throws everything he can at you, because he knows the importance of an attack that just keeps coming.

He wears you down until you just....give up.

So, what can be done?  How can you defeat such a cunning and determined foe?

One word....Prayer.

It is amazing what is available to us through Prayer.

Its amazing the power prayer has.

It seems too simple.

Too easy.

The enemy will try to convince you that it is not worth it.  How can words, simple words matter?

You are dealing with 'reality' right?

He will do everything to keep you from praying.

You may feel too tired to pray.....that's when you pray more.

You may feel too defeated to pray.....that's when you pray more.

You may feel too sinful and unworthy to pray.....that's when you pray more.

We may fall victim to fear, however the enemy has no defense against prayer.

Its not because our words are so powerful.

Its not because we have power in and of ourselves.

It's simply because our prayers are to Jesus.  

The one who has defeated him before, and will defeat him once and for all in the future.

The one who's name strikes fear into the very being who wields it to destroy His followers.

The Enemy wins if we allow his fear and lies to overcome and paralyze us.

Jesus wins the moment we look to Him, and say we are weak, suffering, and call on His name for refuge, help, comfort, peace.

So, when you start to feel the fear in a situation.

Pray

When you start to feel defeated

Pray

When you start to feel weary

Pray

When you start to feel victory

Pray and rejoice