When My Mental Health Is SufferingSample

Fear bombards us from an early age.  From being afraid of the dark to the fear of being called on in class it can feel like the frenemy that’s always there ready to take us down.

As adults, we are confronted with the realities of a broken world daily and that can elicit a sense of fear in us in all our comings and goings; fear that harm will come to us or our loved ones, fear of not meeting financial obligations, fear of rejection, fear of failure; the list of fears seems endless.

Some variation of “Fear Not” is found in the Bible over 365 times.  That is a daily reminder from God to not let fear grip us. Paul reminds us that in Christ, we do not have a spirit of fear, but of “power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7). That means despite our illness's propensity to fear, we can take authority over it and trust God to walk alongside us.

Fear is a popular weapon of the enemy to overwhelm us and keep us from living an effective life. But what the enemy means for our harm can be turned to good if we use that fear to press more fully into Christ and gird up our faith in Him.

It’s not always easy to move forward in purpose when fear strikes, but it is ultimately a choice we have.  A choice to not allow fear to control your life.  A choice to focus on what is true.  A choice to guard your heart and mind against fear-inducing consumption. A choice to surrender control of the circumstances of your life over to God. The loving assurance is to fear not, but the choice to embrace that - even though it’s difficult - is ours.

The Promise

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. Isaiah 41:10

The Affirmation

Fear does not have control of my life. I am safe in God's hand.

The Prayer

Dear God, you have told me to fear not.  But I feel afraid. Scared. Stuck in my fear.  Help me to release my concerns to you and move forward according to the purpose you have over my life.  I want to choose you.  To choose freedom.  But it’s hard.  I can’t do it alone.  Remind me that you are here.  Give me the strength to talk back to my fear in the authority of Christ. Thank you for your help and your presence in my life. Amen.