FEAR NOT

I am convinced that fear is a mental disorder because it influences your thinking, affects your emotions and can drive your behavior. When you stop to think about it, you can trace anger, lying, jealousy, hatred, etc. [and many other negative emotions] directly to fear. Fear can keep you in a state of paralysis, and limit you from achieving your potential, realizing your dreams, living fully free, and living in abundance. It can keep you from seeing and enjoying God’s blessings all around you. It can keep you from hearing the quiet voice of God.

As with most bullies, the voice of fear is loud and blaring, constantly nagging, threatening and questioning everything you know about God and the truth. But the Word of God does not excuse fear or minimize its power—it exposes it and shows us how to deal with it:

  • For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). That means fear is a liar. Those thoughts that loop endlessly in your head, rehashing something that happened yesterday or years ago, convincing you that you are unloved, that people will judge you or, that you will never move forward, are lies. Often, the people you worry about are not thinking about you at all. There is nothing to fear. Trust that God will work everything out for your good, even when you do not see how. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not your own limited understanding. (Proverbs 6:5)

  • Jesus offers peace that steadies the heart. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you…. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27).

woman holding her face in dark room
woman holding her face in dark room

  • God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… (Psalm 46:1-2). God is the Sovereign Creator of everything that is seen and unseen. He is in control of everything. God knew you before you took your first breath, and He loves you still. When fear rises, prayer should be your response, not panic. God is always with you, always present when you are in trouble.

Faith is the antidote to fear. The greater faith becomes, the smaller fear becomes. Cultivate trust and choose it again and again. Don’t give any power to the bully. Stand on truth and walk forward – not fearless, but in faith.

~Growing The Seed

RESOURCES

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Joshua 1:9:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Nelson Mandela:

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."

Corrie ten Boom:

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."

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