Karin M. Thompson's Blog, page 7

OVERCOMING FEAR

Timothy 1:7, says God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. If God has not given you a spirit of fear who has? Our enemy, the devil, he puts thoughts in your mind and wants you to meditate on them. God has instructed you to think about things that are pure, good and of a good report. The moment you start to think negatively, fear will overtake you. You will draw back from the promises of God, and doubt that God can help you. Thinking faith-filled thoughts allows you to rise above the fear. The more focused on the fear, the bigger it becomes. You choose what you going to think about; fearful thoughts, or faith-filled thoughts. The decision is yours. You are in control of your thinking. Think thoughts that build you up. Stop thinking about negative thoughts that pull you down. Create an atmosphere of faith in your heart, by thinking good, healthy thoughts that are in line with God’s Word. Scripture references Psalm 23 Psalm 27:1 Psalm 91 Philippians 4:8. LIFE MAY BE TOUGH BUT YOU’VE GOT A GOD WHO IS TOUGHER

SCRIPTURES TO STAND ON DURING THIS TIME OF CONFUSION.

Matthew 6:31 (AMP) Therefore, do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Psalm 86:7 (NIV) When I am in distress, I call to you because you answer me. Psalm 118:5 (NIV) When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; He brought me into a spacious place. John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Proverbs 3:6 (NIV) In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) 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. John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Matthew 19:26 (NIV) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Psalm 56:3 (NIV) When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Lamentations 3:22 (NIV) Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Colossians 3:15 (NKJV) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body: and be thankful. Psalm 34:4 (NKJV) I sought the Lord, and He heard and delivered me from all my fears. 1 Peter 5:7 (TPT) Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. Psalm 94:19 (TPT) Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of your presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight. PRAYER Father, I thank you that during this time of unrest and uncertainty, I can place my trust and confidence in you. Thank you that you quieten my soul, of all fear and confusion. I cast all my cares on you. Thank you that you are watching over me and my family protecting us, as you promised in Psalm 91. I will not allow a spirit of fear to grip my heart, because I know you are the God of the impossible and you can turn this situation around. Thank you, that I and my family live in your bubble of protection from all evil as we stand and confess your word. I know that you are watching over you Word and preforming it in our lives. I will not be anxious because I know that you will never leave me or forsake me. I rest in your peace and know that this too will pass. I pray this in Jesus’ name Amen.

Get Up!

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Shedding what slows you down.

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NEVER GIVE UP

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Life in your Submarine

Imagine that you bought a submarine, then started to make it your own personal space. Inside you had a beautiful bedroom with all your favourite things, a movie room or even a lovely indoor garden. You could add a spa pool or a lovely lounge area to relax in. This is your space, a peaceful place for you to live in and enjoy. Then you take your submarine out into the deepest ocean. Being deep in the ocean is not a problem because your submarine can withstand all the pressures from the sea. You just cruise along enjoying your life, enjoying your peaceful, calm surroundings. You are all warm and cosy inside your submarine. Now, tell me would you consider opening the submarine's hatch and let the seawater in? Even a little bit? Of course not, why, because it would destroy your submarine; you could drown if too much water got in. Your life is like that submarine. Outside in the world all the cares and worries are trying to get inside you, trying to control your life, your thoughts, and even your sleep. Just as you would not open the hatch to let the water into your submarine, you should not allow the pressures of your life to get into your heart either. You should strive to keep a peaceful tranquil place with God in your life all the times. Purpose to keep your heart and mind focused on Him and His promises. Striving to remain in a peaceful state always. Cast every care onto the Lord. Tell Him, “Lord I cast the cares of my kids onto you, I trust you to take care of this situation, and I’m leaving it in your hands”. Then go on with your life knowing that He is well able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that you can ask or think. Continue with your life knowing that God is attending to your prayer. There is no need to worry or lose any sleep because your trust is in God. Our goal must be to stay in faith and keep in His peace. Do not allow the cares of this world to get into your heart. Only by staying continually in his Word and prayer, can you do this. Jesus never sat on the roadside and said to his disciples, “I’m so tired of you all, you are always moaning; everywhere I go people are always so unkind to me; life is so hard nobody likes me”. No, He never let all the pressures from the outside world overcome Him. He cast His cares onto the Lord daily by keeping in constant communication with His Father. Friend, this must be your daily goal, to stay in peace, to be calm and full of faith. Everyday trust God to help you fight the good fight of faith and to keep the pressures out. Do not let the devil deceive you into carrying the cares. Jesus died to take them from you so that you could walk free of them. Proverbs 4: 20-23

ARE YOU FOCUSED?

Success is all about being single-minded and focused. Focusing, on what you really want in your life. Are you willing to pay the price to achieve it? Are you ready to say “no” to what you don’t want and say “yes” to what you do want? There will always be distractions around you, all trying to lure you away from your goals. Staying focused will help you fight through. Deciding what you need to do to stay focused is as important as deciding what you should not do. Become like a dog with a bone. No matter how hard you try, you cannot get that bone away from the dog. That’s what is called being focused. It is something that you want with every fibre of your being, and you are willing to fight for it. Having this kind of attitude will allow you to see more positive results in your life. Focus everything in your life towards your desired goals. Stay focused, then you will win and see results.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE DOING?

Of course, there is. Not sure where to start? Easy, just take the first step! When I felt God’s leading for me to write a book, I didn’t have a clue how to start. I didn’t know anyone who had ever written a book before. I knew nothing about the world of authors and how they even got their books published. Honestly, all I ever did was just read books, that was it. My mind started racing with questions, how was I going to even do this? Then God gently nudges me, just start writing. So, I started writing in a word document what I felt I should say. This was my first step. I wrote whenever I could and just kept at it. Then one day I was invited to a Christian ladies meeting and low and behold I met an editor there. She was sharing about what she does in the editing world and if anyone needs any help to come chat to her. Well, I made a quick beeline to her after the meeting. It turned out that she lived in the same suburb as me, just a few blocks from my house. So, we caught up for coffee at a cafe down the road and she gave me all the advice I needed on how to get my book going and edited. Now let me tell you in all my life I have never met an editor. But now that I needed one, she appeared. She was also a Christian, so this made the deal so much sweeter. My point being, I took the first step! I started writing. If I never started to write, I would have never needed to meet her. As I continued writing, I needed someone to design my book cover, and God had that covered too. Then I needed a publisher, and God had that covered too. I’ve met all these people who have helped me and as you know I have now published my book – My Journey to Enjoying My life. It is now available everywhere, only God could have done this! So, my friend how about you? What is it that you need to start doing? You do not have to have all the answers before you start. You do not need to know how it will all work out. But all you need to do is to take step one. Take the first step. Then you will find out what the second step is, then the third and so on. But till you take the first step there is no need for God to show you steps 2, 3, 4 etc. So, step out, there is something you can do now, even if it’s just research. Take your first step towards your dream, to your purpose. Start your journey, you just never know where it will lead you.

Forget Your Past

To go forward in life we must leave the past behind us. That includes all the bad memories that you have experience. All the hurts, bad feelings and unkind words, that were ever spoken to you. You cannot go into your future carrying all the baggage from the past. I know this is not easy, but it is essential if you want to move freely forward into your future. Satan will always bring back to your mind the tormenting thoughts of failure and defeat. Don’t allow him to torment your mind. God wants you to be whole and dwelling on the past will hinder you from doing this. If you keep going over events in your mind you will keep it as a stronghold in your life. Draw a line in the sand and decide that this is enough and put it behind you. You will have to fight at first to keep it behind you but with God’s help, you can. Eventually, the joy of The Lord will take over and the memories will fade into the past. Find a scripture that you can stand on and quote this every time tormenting thoughts come to you. God is faithful to watch over His Word and he will deliver you from all the hurts. You will also have to forgive yourself and your part in your past. Move forward knowing that God loves you, that he forgives you and cleanses you from all sin. Don’t hold onto the sin in your mind because then you didn’t take hold of God’s forgiveness for it. Walk tall with your head held high and your shoulders back knowing that you are loved and forgiven. SCRIPTURE REFERENCES 1 John 1:9 2 Chronicles 30:9 Matthew 6:14 Luke 2:40 SMALL THINKING WILL LIMIT HOW GOD CAN MOVE IN YOUR LIFE.

Two Choices In Life

In life, you will ALWAYS have two choices to make in every situation you face. Fear or Faith. When circumstances and situations like an unexpected bill, a negative result, or a bad report comes your way, you will find that you will either react in one of two ways, in fear or faith. FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real. If you choose this option you will find that it will fill you with dread, worry, and hopelessness. Fear is a tool that will leave you without an answer to your problem. All hope for the future will escape you and you will feel stuck. The devil will lie to you and tell you that this will be your lot in life and that you will never get passed this. You will feel overwhelmed and full of despair. This will affect your health and your sleep as worry will be your constant companion. FAITH – If you choose this option you will allow God to work with you. You will feel comfort, strength and hope that this will pass and that there is an answer to the problem. Your heart will be at peace knowing that your Heavenly Father is with you and is able to handle the problem for you. You will feel relieved and comforted. The peace of God will surround your mind showing you the way out and lead you on a path that will keep getting brighter and brighter. You will sleep soundly because you will be assured that your Heavenly Father loves you and is working everything out for you. Whichever crossroads you are facing today, I think the answer is obvious which choice you should make. Faith should always be your partner in your journey. With God, all things are possible, but He requires your faith to make it so. Purpose to stay in faith and don’t let the devil turn your faith over to the fear mode. Trust God to see you through every time and He will. So, when you face a situation are you going to fear and panic or are you going to trust God? Scripture references: Ephesians 3:20, Psalm 55:22, John 10:10, Psalm 91:11, 2 Corinthians 10:5 You can’t have a positive life with a negative thought life