Fear is a big part of our world. I’m working on a devotional book on this subject so I thought I would share a sample to see what people thought about it.
Verse for meditation:
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Do Not Fear
Those three paltry words sound so simple, yet can be so difficult to put into practice, especially fears that pop up in the middle of the night. Growing up, most of my family lived overseas. So late-night phone calls often signaled a problem with a family member. The shrill ringing pierced the darkness and set off a panic within our household. We all gathered around my mom or dad as we waited for them to relay the news to us. If someone died, then my parents spent the rest of the night making plans and contacting others to spread the news.
My heart still pounds when the phone rings during the wee hours of the morning, as I suspect the worse. My mind fills with thoughts of kids in accidents, or grandkids heading to the hospital for some illness. In those moments, do not fear, is not the first thought that comes to mind. But as soon as the details of the situation emerge, I steel my racing heart with prayer. I remember God is with me and He will give me the strength I need to face the challenge ahead. This process came through years of practice and seeing God’s hand at work in every situation in my life.
Letting Go of Fears
So how did I develop such a practice? As each fresh problem arose, I looked back at how God provided for me in the past. Journaling helped me because it gave me a record of all the ways God stood with me and gave me strength beyond my own abilities. I also turned to the Bible for answers. The Bible is full of God’s promises to us for all the circumstances of life. And it also shows us examples of how God stood with others, even when fear threatened to overwhelm them. History reinforces all the ways God provides for his people. Then, I prayed for God to give me his strength to face the problem or to take the trouble away. And I trusted him to know the best way because he does not always remove the source of our fear. We need to trust his strength to face it.
Bible Promises:
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV) tells us; “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” When we put our trust in God, he will grant us peace to face the fears that plague us.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you with my fears. I want to trust in you to strengthen me instead of surrendering to these feelings. Please uphold me with your right hand and help me. You are the Jehovah Tsuri, my rock, and I will run to you when with my troubled heart. Teach me your ways. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Action Items:
Write about a fear that plague you and why it’s a problem: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How has God helped you in the past or a time when you felt his presence?: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meditate and memorize today’s verse. How can this verse strengthen your faith in times of fear? Isaiah 41:10 (NIV): “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When you finish this devotional, come back and record your successes. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Psalm for fear and anxiety:
“God, you are my shepherd, I lack nothing. You make me lie down in green pastures, you lead me beside still waters, you restore my soul. You lead me in paths of righteousness for your name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me! Your rod and your staff, they comfort me! You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in Your house forever. Amen.” Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV)
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
Excellent devotion, Yvonne. I confess to being afraid of anti-Christians. Not non-Christians, but those who hate us. It makes me less likely to speak up in public.
Thanks Priscilla. I do understand because persecution does happen. But I put it all in God’s hands and trust He will protect me. Plus I know the rewards awaiting those He listen and accept Christ. Blessings
Yvonne, great devotional and especially on a wonderful topic, fear, which we all can relate to! God bless you on your new book! I pray it will be received openly, widely, and with great enthusiasm!
Thanks Patricia. Just getting started on writing it. I appreciate your encouragement. Blessings
Thank you for the reminder that God is always bigger than any fear we could have experience. I need this message today. Have a blessed day! 🙂
God is good to give us a word when we need it. I pray your day is blessed
I felt that jolt when you described a call in the middle of the night. Recalling God’s character and promises calms us like nothing else.
Yes it does. It still surprises me how fast our hearts go to fear first. But then I remember God’s still in charge and has it under control. Thanks Debbie and blessings on your day.
Great devotional, Yvonne. I’ve always had to fight off fear, mostly in the “what-ifs” that almost always pop into my mind and heart. And there’s something about the middle of the night, in the dark, that I feel the enemy’s attacks the most into a fearful state. One thing the Lord has shown me is that the enemy makes me fearful in the what-ifs, but He makes me fearless when I put my trust in Christ. God bless.
Yes, the what-if’s can cause our hearts to fear. I flight that too at times. Thanks so much Karen. Blessings
When I realized that the worst thing that this world could do to me is nothing compared to sitting at God’s feet for eternity, I no longer feared anything that I might face here.
Great perspective JD. and so true. Blessings
I shall fear no evil. Our church just saw our pastor of 30 years off to retirement. His final series of sermons was on the 23rd Psalm. Thanks, Yvonne. God bless!
Wow. I pray he enjoys his retirement. What a great Psalms. Thank you Nancy. Blessings
What a great idea for a devotional! Your “action items” have much depth and will surely speak to readers. And who among us does not struggle with fear?
Thanks Candyce. I agree that we all deal with fears in our lives and just need reminders on how God is there to help us. Blessings
This is an excellent devotion, Yvonne. I look forward to seeing the rest of the book. Meanwhile, I’ll apply the wisdom you shared to my own life.
Thanks so much Annie. Blessings to you.
Wonderful devotional, Yvonne! And this message is much needed, for me and for most people I believe. Otherwise, God would not have included that simple phrase, “Do not fear,” so many times in the Bible. Those phone calls at night have the same effect on me. Slowly, God is helping me turn to Him when my heart is pounding and inviting Him to guide me and give me His peace. God bless you!
Fear robs us of so much of God’s peace if we don’t give it over to Him. Thank you Melissa. God bless
Such a great encouragement. Fear used to be such a problem for me, but as my faith has grown, I’ve found my fear lessens. Knowing Jesus is right beside me in ANYTHING really does help.
Thanks Jessica. I feel the same way. Blessings to you
Thank you for your encouraging, well-written post.
Thanks Heidi. God bless you