Fearless-Factor - 2 Chronicles 19:9

What is a joyful heart? What does this have to do with fear?
It is tax time once again. For some it is a frustrating and stressful time, because you may owe taxes. For others it is a time to get a much awaited refund. What does this have to do with fear and a joyful heart?
Well...Here it is. I am one who is blessed enough this year to get a refund. I usually file by the first week in February to get my refund ASAP. This year the refund was rather decent and I need to place my money where my heart is. For many of us it is easy to tithe a couple of hundred dollars a month it is not such a big chunk. But, what do you do when you are blessed with a return and the chunk is a lot bigger? Are you faithful then?
While paying bills and looking to pay credit cards down and other expense off. I first had to tithe on the money received...all of it. When I was wrapping up I noticed that the one bill I wanted to payoff would have to wait, because I wouldn't have the money I needed until next month or so. The amount was the same amount as the tithe check.
What to do... what to do...I was thinking of the things I could do with the large tithe money. My heart wasn't joyful. I was starting to worry and fear began to set in. What if "this happens" or "that happens" what would I do. Then I remembered Matthew 25: 21 and 23 saying "'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'.
Fear began to set in because my faith in God's provisioning was fading. I had already written the check, but it was not with a joyful heart. I began to pray and a Peace came over me. Not your timing...but mine. I wouldn't be able to pay the bill down for another few months. Is that a reason to be unfaithful, just because my timing to pay-off a bill wasn't what God was trying to show me.
Here is the kicker...The refund was a blessing, a Big Blessing from God. So why was I being selfish and unjoyful and unfaithful when it all came from Him.
The Fearless-Factor for today is two verses and yes I know the first is a repeat. But it fits, 1 Samuel 12:24 "But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." and 2 Chronicles 19:9 "He gave them these orders: "You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD."
I was about to steal from God over a blessing that He gave me. He redirected my thinking and showed me His timing and His Provisioning. He helped me to serve faithfully and wholehearted, with joy and calmed all of my fears. Be Blessed today for God has something Great planned for you. Keep a watchful eye.
Be Fearless and Quiet No More.
Your Brother in Christ,
Trey Ore