Finding Peace During Troubled TimesSample

FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU!

Fear is deadly. It kills faith, robs sleep, affects health, and damages relationships. Fear is also known to replace a person’s confidence with uncertainty (which only fosters more overwhelming fears).

So, what do you do when fear strikes your life?

Well, you need to trust in God as your shield, just like when He told Abraham not to fear, but to trust in His protection (Genesis 15:1). You need to acknowledge that no matter what happens in life, God is your shield. He is your Protector. David declared, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1). Notice how intimately David felt about God’s protection, and the peace and joy he felt as a result. This kind of assurance requires time with God. It takes a willingness to trust and to obey—even when it’s hard (especially when it’s hard). 

Perhaps, as you are reading this—you can barely think straight because the fear inside of you is causing you to lose hope. If that’s the case, we pray that today is the day you will no longer let fear dictate your life, but that you will take comfort in the fact that God says not to be afraid for He is with you (Isaiah 41:10). 

The best antidote to fear is the presence of God. When you allow God to be present, fear will be absent from your life. John puts it like so, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

Whatever troubles you, we implore you to trust in God’s perfect love and know with certainty that He will cast out all the fears that torment you. It’s a wonderful feeling to no longer let fear rule your emotions, but to let God rule over your life! 

So, dear friend, exchange your fearful heart for fearless confidence, and watch and see God’s Spirit do a mighty work in your life today!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Word says that you have not given me a spirit of fear, but that You have given me the power of the Holy Spirit. So, I give over to you my fears and pray that my life will abide in Your perfect love for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Action Steps: Carve out more time during the week to dwell in the presence of God and memorize Psalm 27:1 and 1 John 4:18.