Do you remember those old briefcases? I always liked them. There was a number combination on them. Flip the numbers just right and the case would open. Turn them endlessly, with the wrong sequence, and pull open, no luck.

Many of us are turning numbers endlessly in life: trying to be liked, worrying about finances, fretting about our future, running from the past, hurrying to avoid our present, anticipating terrorism, harboring bitterness, wallowing in rejection and writhing in jealousy. 

We try to unlock God’s treasure but the combination of worldly pursuits blocks us. We can’t get in. Frustrated, we seek more numbers: Maybe we try to be number one. Maybe we try to push ahead at work with selfish ambition or a prideful attitude. Maybe look to a number of numbing pleasures – wine, perfectionism or denial – to protect ourselves. Whatever it is, a number of fear-laden issues hold us back from opening the fullness God has in store.

What is holding you back? What is the number that keeps you stuck?

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…Ephesians 1:8

Many Christians, sadly, walk through life, unable to open the treasure of God’s goodness. It eludes them. They never discover hope for today. The eyes of the world blind the eyes of their heart. Rather than feeling called, they feel condemned and rather than riches, they walk around in the spiritual poverty of doubt.

I should know, I did this for the large majority of life. What I failed to realize is God had already given me the number to his treasure. He’d given me his promises. I didn’t know how to leverage them, though. I looked at them like, “It’s nice to meet you” rather than “It’s nice to know and love you.”

The gap between these two approaches is miles. Miles upon miles upon miles upon miles….

How do you live? Do you live unlocking the power of God’s promises or do you living doubting the probability He’s got good for you?

Friends, there is not an iota of condemnation in your answer. Can I first lay that out on the table? Getting past that issue, is often the first step towards opening new courage that brings you to new faith.

The truth of the matter is there is always – hope for your future. Let that sink in. See a lost child? Hope. Have no money left? Hope. Struggling in your marriage? Hope. Wishing that family member would come to Christ? Hope. Feeling lost to sadness and despair? Hope.

Hope. Hope. Hope.

All you have to do is walk forward and just grab hands with them – with faith and hope; they walk together. They always want to walk with you. 

3 Ways to Move from Fearful to Faithful:

• Ask God for faith.
  “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13)‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’ (Mark 9:24)

• Draw Near to God. In the presence of God, there is no room for fear.
  You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalms 16:11But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. (1 John 4:18)

• Dwell on God’s Promises. What God has given you, is enough to empower you.
  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:4)

If you can’t see your way of escape, it’s right before you. It doesn’t look like you, endlessly trying, striving or punching in perfect numbers. Stop going after that. It’s not worth it.  For, what you pursue determines your breakthrough. 

Instead, it looks like you walking up to what’s locked and believing God, in full. It looks like you standing on God’s Word. It looks like you holding on to the truths he declares about you. It looks like you finding out what was impossible to open, flies wide-open, in his perfect timing, by faith. Boom! 

And maybe it looks different than you expect. But, in the end, it always looks better.

Believe and open the fullness of God’s spiritual riches. They are waiting for you.

Copyright ©2020, Kelly Balarie. Article Source: CBN. https://www1.cbn.com/health/three-ways-move-fearful-faithful