2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

As we start this journey, the Fearless Five would like extend those same thoughts to all of you. We hope as we grow as a community and as a unit that you feel peace when you are receiving the message God has called us to share. We pray that any message we provide or share from our experiences help all of you to understand that you are not alone and find peace in knowing that we you have group of women who support you, will pray for you, and carry some of the burdens and hurts that you have experienced.

Question: What are you praying for throughout this devotional? What burdens and hurts are you intending to be free of fear from?

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.”

We are so excited to have you here. You have taken the first step of letting go of fear and being courageous to explore how to conquer the battles you are facing. You do not have to feel alone because God is going on this journey with you. Whenever you feel afraid or find yourself in a situation that feels scary or uncomfortable, remember that you are stronger than any battle you are facing because you have God on your side.

Question: What are you fearlessly letting go of today and/or are working on fearlessly letting go of during this devotional?

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

 Have you ever been overwhelmed by a situation and then why you were facing that obstacle it felt like everything else started falling apart as well? Perhaps it felt like that because you were so focused on the one bad thing that was happening that you forgot to express gratitude for the things that God had already provided you. They say the quickest way to realize when you have is to lose it. It is okay to ask God for help when we are struggling through hard times, but we have to remember to not focus in on just the bad and show thanks for the positive things in our life.

Question: What are you fearlessly asking of God today? What are you anxious about? How can you express that in prayer WITH thanksgiving?

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.”

It is inevitable that we will face challenges here on earth. Have you ever been in a relationship or had a friendship that you depended on but they let you down? Do you remember the hurt that you felt because you trusted them and they did not come through for you? John 16:33 tells us that we can depend on God and have peace knowing he will be there for you. There is no hurt, no pain, no disappointment that you can’t overcome because your God has overcome these worldly emotions. 

Question: What aspect of your life, your hurts, your relationships, are you longing for peace in? How can you fearlessly search for and receive God’s peace?

Proverbs 12:25

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

Have you ever you found yourself stressed? Did you ever find yourself asking God for help, but continued to worry about the situation? Did you ever feel like that situation consumed you from seeing the other good things occurring in your life? The next time you find yourself in this situation start your prayers off with thanks to God.  Openly ask God for your needs, but also thank him for his blessings. Often times we get so consumed by the dark cloud and forget that the same rain that floods the streets also provides water and nutrients and provides life. It is all about perception.

Question: What is driving your life: anxiety or kindness? How can you be fearlessly kind to yourself and surrender your anxiety to God?

Luke 12:25-26 (NIV)

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

There is nothing we can do with worrying. There is nothing that worrying can change. It does not add anything positive to our lives accept for stress.  Today instead of worrying about today or tomorrow, try praying for God’s will to be done. Remind yourself that God has already planned your life.

Question: What are you worrying about? How is that worrying impacting your life? How would you live fearlessly if that was not inhibiting your life?

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Some days are simply bad days. Instead of worrying, remember that Jesus came to this earth and was betrayed, denied, and crucified, yet he came and conquered the world. You are not alone and you will get through. God tells us that we have trouble but we can humble ourselves before God, so that He may lift us up. God cares for us so much. Even in times of trouble, He has not abandoned us.

Question: Are your eyes and heart cast down on your problems or do you fearlessly cast your eyes and heart onto God because He cares for you?

Joshua 1:9 ESV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

During trials we can often feel alone. We can often feel like we have no one who understand or anyone that we can express our hurt. God does not want us to feel like we are fighting this battle alone. He has ordered us to be strong and courageous because God lives within us. 

Question: What battles are you facing? Are you standing fearlessly as you face those battles knowing that God lives within you?

Matthew 21:22

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Have you ever released a prayer to God and then continued to worry about it? God wants us to come to Him for whatever we need. Once we pray God wants us to believe that He will take care of our request. How many times have you asked God to help you, but did not give him the opportunity to do so?  How many times have you prayed but not truly believed that God would resolve this issue? The next time you pray, speak to God to ask as if He has already answered your prayer.

Question: Have you prayed about everything you are worried about? Are you fearlessly believing God will answer your prayer?

1 Corinthians 15:33

 “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Sometimes we think we are stronger than those around us. Sometimes we feel that we can put ourselves in situations and we are stronger than the outcome. God wants us to surround ourselves with others who share our same passion for him. Have you ever heard the expression “you are what you eat?” That expression is the same for your relationship with Christ. If you surround yourself with good people, you will find yourself in a healthy mental state.

Question: What kind of relationships are you surrounding yourself? Are they impeding your ability to live fearlessly or empowering it?

Philippians 2:4 ESV

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Often times we are satisfied with our comfort zone. We tend to want to do what we are passionate about. God wants us to express interest in others passions as well. This helps us understand and see people from a different perspective. In addition, it allows us to open up and explore new adventure. When is the last time you tried something that was suggested by a friend? Take the opportunity this weekend to explore a different avenue.

Question: In what ways are you standing in your comfort zone? What are some ways you can fearlessly break free from that zone?

Ephesians 4:26 ESV

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

It is okay to be angry, but we must not let our anger consume us in our thoughts and our actions. Have you ever become upset and that anger leads you to act out in another way? Perhaps drinking, cursing, or becoming physical? God does not want us to allow our anger to attract even more sin into our life. It is okay to feel emotions, but it is not okay to hold on to day after day.

Question: Is your anger attracting sin? Is there fear swimming in your pool of angry emotions? If so, how can you become fearless from the anger that binds you?

Proverbs 13:20 NIV

“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harms.”               

 Be mindful of those who you surround yourself. It is easy to conform into the ways of others. Still love those who walk a different path and be careful to judge. Pray this prayer when you are struggling with your circle of friends: “God thank you for the opportunity to see my own hearts needs and weaknesses. God, I ask that you eliminate any temptations in behaviors and help me to find people in my life that will plant seeds in my garden of opportunity.”

Question: What harm are you encountering because of your companions? Who do you fearlessly go to (wise friends/family/mentors) as you walk your path?

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

Connections are important for building strong ties. Remember that you are not alone, and it is okay to seek help and confide in others. People can lift you up and push you to the next level. Embrace the opportunity to become wiser and allow yourself to learn from others.

Question: Are you fearlessly seeking relationships that can sharpen you?

Proverbs17:17 NIV

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Have you ever heard the expression “I love him like a brother/sister?” The bond that you have with a sibling is unbreakable because you have experienced so much together. A friend will be around when things are good, and they will love you through it, but a true friendship that becomes like family is made from overcoming obstacles together. Be sure to stop and thank the “brothers/sisters” around you who have stuck out hard times with you.

Question: When you face adversity do you flee from it? Do you fearlessly turn to others from support? Are you fearlessly building a community of brothers and sisters?

Exodus 9:16

“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”

Today or any day that you question what you are doing with your life, career, your family, your husband, stop and remember that God has a plan and a purpose for your life. We often question and challenge God’s plan for our life, but we need to stop and remember that God has created our life with purpose and distinction and everything we have touched and encountered needed us in that moment.

Question: Are you fearlessly seeking to know God’s purpose for you? Are you fearlessly living that purpose?

Proverbs 19:21

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails”

Have you ever continually tried to formulate a plan that just kept falling apart?  It would fall into place on paper, but not in actual real-life events? Perhaps it worked out with a job but not at home or vice versa?  Our intentions may seem pure in nature and we may have this vision of how thing will play out, but our vision is not bigger than God’s purpose for us. The job might work, but that might not be where God is calling us to go. The next time you face this obstacle, sit back and pray for Gods purpose to be done. Stop forcing things to happen and try to see where God needs you, not where you want to be.

Question: Who’s intentions do you have stored up in your heart? God’s or yours?What are God’s fearless intentions for you?

Genesis 2:2

“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”

It is important to work hard, but it also important to rest. Make sure you take some time to clear your mind from all the things that have you so busy. Take time to focus on you and your healing. If you are unable to give yourself at least one full day of recouping then I challenge you to commit to an hour of no phones, no television, no noise, and just rest your mind.

Question: Where do you find your rest? Is it at night on your pillow? Or are you fearlessly pursuing the rest on God can give?

 Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Have you ever observed that most children have a toy or a blanket, even pacifier that they use to comfort them in times of distress? We are God’s children and He wants to be that comforting feeling to our pain. I believe the reason that God is called the “Light” is because most people seek him during their darkest times. Let God continue to shine his Light in your life so that you can feel comfort during all situations.

Question: What evil do you fear? How can you apply your desire to live fearlessly to those fears?

2 Corinthians 5:17 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

As Christians we make changes to be better than who we were. It is okay to forgive yourself for your past. Do not let anyone make you feel bad for the changes you have made since becoming a follower or working towards becoming a Christian. Your walk with Christ is not for everyone else to understand. Before you knew God, knew his love, and knew the biblical right and wrong, you did what you thought was right. It is okay to learn from that and move forward.  Just remember this same message, when you see others making a change instead of being judgmental of their walk with Christ.

Question: Are you a fearless creation of God? Are you living as such?

Philippians 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Often times we find it easier to rejoice in the Lord when we are surrounded by others who share that same interested.  Let’s start practicing rejoicing for the Lord when it is difficult. Let’s challenge each other to demonstrate our Christian mindset even when it is hard to rejoice. Let’s challenge each other to Rejoice when the others around us don’t have the same relationship with Christ. Let them see how exciting it is to have a relationship with God.

Question: Are you fearlessly rejoicing? How do you fearlessly rejoice among adversity?