One of the best things I love about sports is I was taught to face my opponent with courage and not to be afraid of them. This is where a coach or mentor comes in to help us with a skill set, even if we are not there yet. We learn how to combat the enemy and face our opponents. I always found individual sports like boxing, wrestling, golf, track, or any individual sport more challenging, because there was no slacking. You had to prepare and be prepared at all times.
There are many fears we face in life like taking exams/tests, afraid of heights, waiting for a doctors report, being alone in the dark, etc. Fear can paralyze us emotionally and even spiritually if we are not aware of its subtle intrusion.
In Hebrew chapter 11, God’s people, the Disciples, Apostles, and the Jewish people faced many challenges! 11:32-38 NIV “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, [33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. [35] Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. [36] Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. [37] They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— [38] the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground….” Heb. 1132-38.
We should not be intimidated by fear which paralyzes us like facing a deadly snake.
Notice God’s promise here: “So 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”.
God promises you hope, strength, help, peace, courage, triumph, etc. This life is full of challenges, trials, tribulations, tests, BUT God is with you as you put your faith and trust in Him and His Divine Word.
Like the old song says,”On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”.
Have a courageous week my friend and face your fears in faith today.
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Published by Andy
Greetings! My name is Andy Provitola and I live in New England on the South Shore between Boston and the beautiful Cape Cod region.
The purpose of my blogging and writing is to encourage you in your journey here on planet earth. Life is full of pressing issues and problems and my desire is to discover a place for peace, hope, healing, and contentment. I am a follower of Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son and I discovered these truths along my own personal journey.
Having discovered a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ does not mean I have to be religious to attain the rewards of heaven. The fact is God provides grace for us and accepts us as we are in His image. In other words, we cannot attain heaven or life eternal on our own, but by God’s loving grace and no merit of our own. Simply by accepting Him by faith and believing.
My goal is to continue to find a balance of life from a spiritual and practical perspective with a purpose to please and glorify God in all that I do because of His ‘Gift of Grace’.
God is not transcendent and so far away that he is out of reach with humanity. God desires that His presence lives within us and not just in the galaxies and the universe. Experiencing the unconditional love of God has been so rewarding and while discovering the truth and purpose for my life. Moving forward in this life is not a sprint, but a marathon when it comes to this race here on earth.
I am blogging because I find it is a good way to connect in a much more effective and efficient way when it comes to communicating and interacting with people that I know or do not know. Blogging and writing challenges me and also stretches me specifically in my thoughts, my mind, my emotions, and my spiritual life. To live a vertical relation with God and a horizontal relationship with others.
There will be a variety of topics and subjects to address including youth, young adults, family, singles, seniors, relationships, etc. Some of the topics will include God’s creation and power, depression, loneliness, suicide, hope, healing, setbacks, financial matters, business, stress, anxiety, care, encouragement, and so much more.
I would like to connect with all walks of life, ethnicity, culturally, other religions, socio-economics, and in so many more ways.
I am currently writing a book and several memoirs about my own life and journey . The journey begins at a young age growing up in Malden, Massachusetts, specifically Maplewood Square to where I am today. I became paralyzed from the waist down as a senior in high school and I share how my life changed for the better!
“But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus. To testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious undeserved] grace [which makes us free of guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. Acts 20:24 Amplified Version
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