We all have this emotion of fear from time to time throughout our lives. This fear can come in many shapes and forms. It can be something physical where we fear like snakes, dogs, etc. It can be something psychological we fear like riding in elevators, flying in planes, etc. It can be something emotional we fear like losing a loved one, being alone, etc.
The first thing we have to understand is we won’t ever be able to totally get rid of our fears. It is a part of the human condition, of how we are made. Because of our flawed human form, fear will always be with us.
The second thing we have to understand is while we won’t be able to totally get rid of our fears they don’t have to control us. We have the power within us to control them and how we react to them. We have a God in our corner that will not let our fears be used as a tool of the enemy to control our lives.
One of my biggest fears is something happening to my wife and kids that will take them away from me. I know many of us may have a similar fear and have experienced the pain of this happening. This can overwhelm us to the point where we become overprotective, feeling that we can only protect them by keeping them close to us at all times. We don’t want to let them out of our sight feeling this will keep them safe. We worry constantly about them when they are not with us and we wonder if they are safe. This type of worry can become debilitating to the point where as a family you are no longer enjoying the life God has planned for you. Fear is dictating how you live your life.
The key to breaking free from this type of fear and all fears is to start trusting God and the plan He has for our lives. For me in battling this fear, I had to realize that God does not want to bring harm to me or my family. He wants the best for us. But the bodies we are in are temporary; it is a guarantee we will all leave these bodies at some point. But what God has promised if we believe in Him is that our souls will live forever with Him. So to overcome the fear I have to hold fast to God’s promise that even though these bodies will fail us He has a heavenly body waiting for us that will never fail. I hold to the fact that if I lead my family in the ways God has called me to that even though we won’t be here with each other forever we will be together in Heaven. Focusing on the eternal life that’s promised to us helps take my mind off of worry over this temporary life we are currently living.
What fears do you have that overwhelm you at times, which keep you from living the life God has planned for you? Money issues, relationships, work, etc. Today take a moment to look at your life and write down 3-5 of these fears that you have. Once you have them written down take a look at them and ask yourself, have I truly given these things to God? Am I truly relying on His written word and all He has promised? Have I looked at what He has done for me in the past in these areas? My bet would be the answer is no, it’s been the case for me when I look at the things that I fear. So today let’s start turning those things over to God and rely on him for strength and direction. And when He provides that direction, step out boldly and confidently against that fear knowing you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Fear is a powerful thing when we feel there is nothing to protect us from what we fear. Once we truly realize, understand and lean on the fact that God is there to protect and direct us then that FEAR becomes fear. Not quite the giant we thought it was!
As the devotional I read today by Rick Warren said, “There is no difficulty, dilemma, defeat or disaster in the life of a believer that God can’t ultimately get some good out of. There is no need to fear the future. Your fears reveal where you do not trust God.”
Let’s go out and live our lives according to God’s plan for us knowing that fear will come but it cannot and will not dictate how we live our lives! We have been made to be more than conquerors! Live the amazing life God has planned for you my friends!
Truth in Love!! ~ Chuck