When Fear Takes Hold

 November 13, 2024

Wednesday

Some of us are afraid all the time. We all know that the only fear we should have is the fear of God but that's not the fear I am talking about. I am among those who have anxieties that I have trouble overcoming. Maybe you are like me. 

God knows all of us. He knows the fearful ones too. He has told us what to do to dispel this fear. 

Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB 2020) ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

One of the reasons we are so afraid is our belief of what will happen given current conditions. We get afraid for the future because we see the future outside of God's hands. This is never the case! No, God knows what is happening and He keeps things from getting outside of the limits He has set on it.

This means that I must pray until I have peace. I don't know about you but I am pretty stubborn. I need to pray a long time to have peace. I have to come into His presence and receive His assurances that He will be there even if the worst case scenario comes true. I have to acknowledge that I am His- not partially, but completely His. I have placed myself in His hands. He owns me. He can do as He wishes. 

Of course, this means I trust Him. Just like my kids would jump into my arms in the swimming pool I must trust Him to take care of me when I don't know how to swim in the waters of fear.

God loves me. I must realize that. I also must love Him. Love is a two way street when it is made whole.

1 John 4:18 (NASB 2020) ¹⁸ There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Yes, I know that God has every right to do horrible things to me because of my sin. However, I do not know God in this way. I know Him as the One who loved me so much that He gave His only son for me. I know that this is His perfect love. This perfect love casts out all fears.

God assures me that He will uphold me. He upholds all of us who fear the future. He upholds all of us who fear our own failure. He gives His word on this.

Isaiah 41:10 (NASB 2020) ¹⁰ ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

After reading these verses (which I need to read a lot) I am not afraid. I am no longer depending upon my own ability to change the future. I am not afraid of the future because it is in His hands.

When this happens, I have peace. I hope you have peace, too.