Fear is a common emotional response in this troubling world of pandemics and other common health issues, financial strain and loss, uncommitted relationships, loneliness and depression, the possibility of rampant personal harm and abuse, intrusive loss and grief, abounding perversion all around us, etc.
However, God’s Word shows us real and successful ways to eradicate fear from our life. We cannot control these issues and worrying about them causes us emotional and physical damage. Therefore, heeding God’s advice is wise and beneficial in so many ways. Let’s look at some reasons for our faith.
Joshua learned these secrets during his lifetime. God directly spoke to him not to be afraid, discouraged, or terrified; but instead, through faith in God’s care, to adopt a strong and courageous attitude. We base this type of faith on the fact that God cares for us and is with us wherever we go and whatever circumstances we face (Joshua 1:9).
At the moment we surrender our life to Him, God gives us strength to face the storms of life. Always ready, He rescues us from dangers and the evil results of sin on this earth. We may be physically, mentally, and emotionally altered by our circumstances, but God heals us of each one of them.
God encourages every tribe, tongue, and nation not to fear, because He desires to redeem us as His own. In floods, fires, pestilences, and other natural catastrophes, we may be affected by them, but they will not overwhelm us when we submit to Him as our God and Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3).
When God is in our corner with us, there is nothing and no one that can disturb our peace. That is because our focus is on Him at all times (Isaiah 26:3), and we get our cue in life from His Spirit abiding within us (Romans 8:31). Jesus is our rock, ever-present fortress, deliverer, strength, buckler, high tower, and horn of salvation (Psalms 18:2)
Prayer:
Father God, remind us to keep our focus on You, and You will give us Your perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). Contemplating “worse case” scenarios does nothing more than increase our worries about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). Teach us that as we focus on You, and the fact that we are in this world, but not of this world (John 15:19, 17:16), we can overcome the temptations, trials, and fears of this world.
Remind us that when we are weak, Christ in us is strong (2 Corinthians 12:10; John 15:5). Without Him in us, we can do or endure nothing (John 15:19); but with Him within us by Your Spirit, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13). If we pay attention, we will see You intervening for us in every situation we ever face. This will increase our faith in Your faithfulness and give us so much gratitude toward You for Your care for us.
Thoughts for the Day:
Fear influences our faith in God and our focus in life; yet, trusting in His goodness, we can live boldly in a crazy and painful world. Whenever we are afraid, we can put our trust in God alone, because He is faithful and true.
- Psalm 9:10, 56:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Jeremiah 10:10-13
