Facing My Fears

I am the Lord, the one who encourages you. Why are you afraid of mere humans? They dry up and die like grass.

Isaiah 51:12 (CEV)

If you can just get through the school hallway quickly, maybe you won’t have to deal with them.

If you keep quiet in class, maybe you won’t say something that makes them laugh at you.

If you use the filter and make a perfect face for the picture, maybe no one will say anything mean on your post.

Ugh. Bullies. How many things in your day do you avoid so you won’t have to deal with them? What things do you miss out on? If there is a bully in your life, fear can be a part of every, single day.

Hang in there. It won’t last forever. People grow up. They move. They change. And you will move and change along the way, too.

But mostly, lean on God. No matter where you are, God is with you. And today’s Scripture reminds us that God is there to encourage you. To encourage means to give courage—to make brave! So tell God everything. Ask him for courage to face your bullies and do the right thing. Stand tall and strong, knowing that God is by your side. You are special in his eyes, and he loves you (and those bullies, too!).

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Memorizing Bible verses hides them in your heart forever, so you can remember them and speak them out loud when you are afraid! To help you memorize today’s verse, start with writing the first part of the verse—“I am the Lord”—and then write the second part-- "the one who encourages you" and draw a line to connect them. Continue writing and connecting each part of the verse in order, until you reach the end. Bonus points: Read the verse out loud as you go!

PRAY

Lord, thank you for being with me always. Give me courage to stand tall and face my fears.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Joshua 1:9

Proverbs 29:25

2 Timothy 1:7

1 Peter 1:24–25