Overcoming Fear, Worry, and AnxietySample

Day 1 (today): You are not alone

Fear is incredibly powerful, isn’t it? It can wipe out your memory and cause your heart to pound. In fact, it can paralyze you.

In the next few days together, we will be looking at our fears and anxieties. From the grand humiliations to the nagging little anxieties that dance like specters around the edges of our thoughts, fear and worry can be overwhelming. But you’re not alone.

In fact, that’s exactly what the Bible teaches: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man...” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The fears we face really aren’t all that unique; this verse teaches that we’re all pretty much in the same boat. Although the focus and intensity of our fears may be different, every person who has ever lived has had to struggle against them. Perhaps from your perspective, it doesn’t seem that way, but even those who appear to be the bravest among us have had to overcome fear.

In the coming days, we will be looking at passages and scripture that show how God meets us in our fears and anxieties and shows us the true way to overcome them.

Days 2 and 3: we’ll cover two stories in the Bible (the story of Moses and the Parable of the Talents) that show examples of biblical characters who struggled with fear and anxiety just like we do today.

Day 4: Fearing Others

• John 12:42-43
• A look at how the Bible helps us when we find ourselves fearing others out of a need for their approval (and where our TRUE approval comes from).

Day 5: Therefore, do not worry

• Matthew 6:25-33
• An exploration on how God cares for ALL of our needs and how faith in his good character can help us fear less.

Day 6: He loved us first

• 1 JOHN 4:16-19
• A reflection on the enduring nature of God—His love. (And how a relationship built on love casts out all fear).

**All scripture is quoted from New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise indicated.**

In order to overcome fear, we need someone who is stronger than our fears. Jesus Christ, is that someone. He’s the only one who intimately knows all our thoughts and fears. He’s the only one who is able to deliver us. The Bible teaches that one reason He left heaven and came to earth was to “deliver those who through fear...have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread” (Hebrews 2:15 The Living Bible).

So why not begin your journey through these devotionals by asking God to help you put your trust in Him? After all, He’s the only one who has ever conquered fear and death, and He’s the only one who can transform you. He’s the Heart-Changer, and He’s more interested in freeing you than you could possibly know.

REFLECTION

Ask God to help you put your trust in Him and in his Son, Jesus, throughout this study. Recognize His presence with you right now, assuring you that you are never alone.