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.”
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