Part 5: When A Setback Brings Fear
COMEBACK: RISING ABOVE SETBACKS
PART - 5
1. FEARS AND SETBACKS AT THE BIRTH OF JESUS:
Mary - fear of inadequacy.
“Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary,’ the angel told her, ‘for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High…’”
Luke 1:29-32a (NLT)
Joseph - fear of disapproval.
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”
Matthew 1:18-20 (NIV)
Shepherds - fear of unexpected change.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”
Luke 2:8-10 (NIV)
2. HOW DO I REPLACE MY FEARS WITH FAITH?
Surrender my life completely to God daily.
“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.”
Luke 1:38 (NIV)
“Surrender your heart to God, turn to Him in prayer, and give up your sins—even those you do in secret. Then you won’t be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless.”
Job 11:13-15 (CEV)
Stop fear with faith.
“...and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
Romans 14:23c (NIV)
Fill my mind with music that praises God.
Mary’s Song of Praise “Mary responded, ‘Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.’”
Luke 1:46-48 (NLT)
Find my hope in the promises of God.
“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.”
Luke 1:45 (NLT)
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?...”
Psalm 56:3-4a (NLT)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS TO:
Do this week’s YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “Faith over Fear” by Leading and Loving it (5 days).
Check out this week’s blog or podcast: “Fear vs. Faith - The Battle for a Comeback.”
Daily surrender my life completely to God.
Get more information about our next Baptism Day on September 26th.
Comeback Sunday - August 15th:
Attend in person or online.
Give financially - any amount.
Serve - somewhere Sunday or at “For Midland Week”.
Invite someone to attend in person or online.