I'm not sure how far back this dates but for quite some time I've had a fear of man and a fear of rejection that I didn't even realize I had. The spirit of fear is an open door for many things including sickness and disease. I think it's safe to say that fear also brings shame and intimidation along with it. 

The Lord has recently begun speaking to me about these things and has been helping me to overcome them. On January 11th,  (1/11) Jesus stood in front of me at the revival service at my church that night and told me He was breaking timidity off of me. I began to realize that throughout my life, events have happened that allowed the spirit of fear to come into my life. The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. 

Yesterday before going on my online prayer meeting on Facebook I was praying and asked God if there was anything He wanted me to tell the people. He spoke "Blessed are the peacemakers".  Matthew 5:9 says "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God." I thought this was a word for others, but today I realized it was also a huge word for me. 

I've been reading a book called Breaking Intimidation by John Bevere and this morning I received such revelation on Matthew 5:9. You see, the scripture says blessed are the peacemakers.... not the peacekeepers.

An insert from the book says: 

"A peacekeeper avoids confrontation at any cost. He will go to any length to preserve a false sense of security for himself, which he mistakes for peace. A peacemaker on the other hand will boldly confront no matter what it may cost him because he does not worry about himself. Instead, he is motivated by his love for God and truth. Only under these conditions can true peace thrive. There is peace in the kingdom of God, however, this peace does not come by the absence of confrontation. As Jesus pointed out the kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12). There is violent opposition to the advancement of God’s kingdom. 
Often we think I’ll just ignore this, and it will go away. But we need to wake up and realize that what we do not confront will not change."

 I've always avoided conflict and confrontation at all costs to keep peace, but that is not necessarily the right thing to do. There have been so many occasions where I have heard someone say things to me that I know are not Biblical and they are wrong in their thoughts. Instead of correcting them, I just say something like "hmm" or keep my comments to myself all together thinking God will find a way to correct them. The truth is God had a way of correcting them standing right there in front of them.... ME and I kept my mouth shut.

This same issue has had effects in my everyday life also. Often times, I've avoided conflict or confrontation and accepted less than I should to keep the peace. As a result, I've cheated myself and lived in bondage to fear and intimidation. God has been giving me a boldness to step outside of my comfort zone. More and more I begin to stop focusing on what others think and have become focused on my Heavenly Father and advancing His kingdom. Not everyone will like me, not everyone will accept what I have to say, but the truth is as long as I'm being led by Holy Spirit and doing the will of my Father, that's the only approval I need. 

While I'm on the spirit of fear... 

I know you're going to question where I'm going with this and I have a habit of going off topic, but just bear with me for a minute. 

A few years ago I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. It was the day after a traumatic experience and I thought my blood pressure was high from the incident. I dismissed it and didn't take the prescribed medication thinking it would go away. I had been to the emergency room and/or doctors office a handful of times in the following years, every time my blood pressure being extremally high. I continued to think nothing of it since that wasn't my reason for being there. 

This past October I began a health plan program that not only helps you to lose weight but also to maintain your blood levels. I've had much success with the program and have lost over fifty pounds since. With the change in diet and the weight loss, I was shocked when the doctor told me yet again my blood pressure was extremely high. I gave it to God, knowing He could and would heal me of this. 

As the days went on Holy Spirit began to reveal things to me, including events that triggered the high blood pressure in the first place. I knew God was leading me to the root of the problem. 

Let me explain something to you. Many people blame God for many things including sickness. God did not create sickness and disease and it is not His will for us to be sick.  There is no sickness in God's Kingdom and His desire is to bring Heaven to Earth.  John 10:10 tells us that the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy but Jesus came to bring life and life more abundantly. Isaiah 53:5 tells us Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed. Those lashes He took on his back heals us from ALL sickness and disease. Why would God give us sickness just to take it back from us?

I began to do some research and realized that every sickness I was diagnosed with including high blood pressure, insulin resistance which is classified as diabetes 2 (and is the cause of the weight and fertility issues), and a heart arrhythmia are all caused by fear. I repented of fear and gave it to God. Later in the week as I stood at the altar during one of our services my pastor began to speak healing over diabetes, high blood pressure, and timidity. I knew God was speaking to me through him. I grabbed ahold of my healing through faith and believed I was healed. The next morning my body showed signs for the first time in over a year that it was beginning to function the way it was designed to function. I know I will have a confirmed praise report once I follow up with my family doctor. 

If you suffer from any type of fear or intimidation please be encouraged to give it to God. God has created you in His image and you are wonderfully and fearfully made. He loves you and wants you to live your best life. Do not allow yourself to live in the shadows of fear or intimidation any longer. May you receive the perfect love of God that casts out all fear according to 1 John 4:18.  I strongly encourage you to check out the book "Breaking Intimidation" by John Bevere. I am confident that it will bless you. 

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

I love you and pray that God has blessed you in some way through this writing. If you'd like to receive new blog post notifications you can subscribe. If you'd like to leave a prayer request or a testimony please feel free to do so.

May God bless you!

Much love,

Holly W <3