Don't Dread

1. Recognize and confront dread as a silent deception

Dread is a form of fear--just a little flavor of it.

Dread steals joy. It's a subtle form of fear that can affect even the most mundane aspects of life, from doing dishes to commuting. This silent deception robs us of the abundant life Jesus promised. By recognizing dread as an attack from the enemy, we can begin to confront it.

Pray about everything, fear nothing. The key to overcoming dread is to be vigilant and prayerful. When you notice peace or joy slipping away, immediately turn to prayer. This releases faith and allows God's love to cast out fear.

Common areas of dread:

• Household chores
• Work responsibilities
• Social interactions
• Future events

2. Embrace the anointing to enjoy ordinary tasks

God wants to anoint us in a supernatural way to handle ordinary, everyday tasks, so that we can be exceedingly joyful in the midst of them.

Reframe mundane activities. Instead of viewing routine tasks as obstacles to spiritual pursuits, recognize them as opportunities for God's power to manifest in your life. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead can energize you for everyday activities.

Set your mind on higher things. By focusing on God's presence and power in every moment, you can transform your experience of ordinary tasks. This shift in perspective allows you to be a witness to the world through your joyful approach to life.

Ways to embrace the anointing:

• Pray for God's strength before starting tasks
• Listen to worship music or teachings while working
• Practice gratitude for the ability to perform daily activities

3. Tackle small problems to build faith for bigger challenges

If you don't have authority over a sink full of dirty dishes, there's not much point in trying to cast the devil out of someone!

Start small, grow strong. Building faith is like building muscle - it requires consistent exercise. By confronting and overcoming small challenges, you develop the spiritual strength needed for larger battles.

Confront issues promptly. Addressing problems when they're small prevents them from growing into unmanageable situations. This principle applies to both practical tasks and interpersonal conflicts.

Areas to practice tackling small problems:

• Personal habits and routines
• Minor disagreements or misunderstandings
• Time management issues
• Small financial decisions

4. Possess your God-given inheritance through aggressive faith

God has already given us the Promised Land. Our part is to confront those dreads and possess it!

Claim your spiritual inheritance. Just as God gave the Israelites the Promised Land, He has given believers an inheritance of peace, joy, and victory. However, we must actively claim and defend this inheritance through faith.

Adopt a conquering mindset. Instead of cowering before challenges, approach them with the confidence that God's power is working through you. This aggressive faith allows you to seize the blessings God has prepared for you.

Steps to possess your inheritance:

1. Identify areas where dread has taken hold
2. Declare God's promises over those areas
3. Take action in faith, trusting God's provision
4. Celebrate victories, no matter how small

5. Choose joy despite ongoing problems

You can choose to make the best out of life in spite of the problem.

Mindset matters. Your attitude toward ongoing problems significantly impacts your quality of life. By choosing to focus on God's goodness and power rather than your circumstances, you can experience joy even in difficult situations.

Separate facts from feelings. Recognize that your emotional response to a problem is often more detrimental than the problem itself. By challenging negative thoughts and emotions, you can maintain a positive outlook despite challenging circumstances.

Strategies for choosing joy:

• Practice gratitude daily
• Focus on what you can control
• Seek God's perspective on your situation
• Surround yourself with positive influences

6. Confront the enemy's attacks immediately and decisively

Watch and pray to recognize any attack of the devil and confront him at the onset!

Swift response, strong defense. The sooner you recognize and confront an attack from the enemy, the easier it is to overcome. This applies to physical symptoms, negative thoughts, and spiritual oppression.

Use your spiritual authority. As a believer, you have the power to resist the devil and make him flee. Don't hesitate to use the name of Jesus and the Word of God to combat spiritual attacks.

Steps for immediate confrontation:

1. Recognize the attack (physical, mental, or spiritual)
2. Pray immediately, invoking the name of Jesus
3. Speak God's Word over the situation
4. Take appropriate action (e.g., seek medical help if needed)

7. Cultivate a mindset of joyful expectancy and faith

Faith's attitude is one of leaning on God, trusting and being confident in Him--it is a joyful expectancy of good.

Expect good, experience good. Your expectations often shape your experiences. By cultivating a mindset of joyful expectancy, you open yourself to recognizing and receiving God's blessings in your life.

Live in the present. Faith operates in the now. Instead of dwelling on past regrets or future worries, focus on trusting God in the present moment. This allows you to fully engage with and enjoy your life as it unfolds.

Practices for cultivating joyful expectancy:

• Start each day with positive affirmations and declarations
• Meditate on God's promises
• Share testimonies of God's faithfulness
• Celebrate small victories and blessings

Last updated: August 14, 2024