God Has Not Forgotten You: When Life Is Turned Upside DownChikamu

Conquering Your Greatest Fears

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s gods, he threatened to cast them into a furnace of blazing fire, saying, “And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” (Daniel 3:15). Still, the three men refused to bow down. Filled with anger, Nebuchadnezzar gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual.

Imagine the fear they might have experienced at that moment. However, their faith in God conquered their fears, and in their loyalty, they were thrown into the fiery furnace. But the next thing that happened was miraculous! Instead of three, four men stood in the furnace, completely unharmed! God had sent a divine being to deliver the loyal servants, leading Nebuchadnezzar to believe in the Most High God!

What if it were possible for you to face this trial without fear? What if despite all the stress, heartache, and tragedy you are dealing with, you could be boldly courageous and at peace? Impossible? Unrealistic? Absolutely not! The Word of God tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7: “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

When tragedy turns up the heat in your life and stirs up fear in your spirit, don’t allow your faith to be shaken. Remember who is with you at all times and in all circumstances—the King of kings and Lord of lords, with all power in His hands! He’s calling you to trust and obey, to be courageous in the midst of extreme circumstances, and to have faith. In the presence of faith, fear must leave!

Taking back your life

1. Having faith in God, His presence in your life, and His abilities to help you in any situation gives you the power and strength of spirit to overcome fear. Try listing your greatest fears regarding your current circumstances on paper. Then at the bottom of the page, write a personalized version of Romans 8:31-32: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” How do your fears look now, knowing that God is on your side?
2. Hebrews 13:5-6 (TLB) says, “For God has said, ‘I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.’ That is why we can say without any doubt or fear, ‘The Lord is my Helper, and I am not afraid of anything that mere man can do to me.’” What hope and encouragement can you find in this Scripture as you think about this trial and its effects on your life?
3. Commit 2 Timothy 1:7 (above) to memory, and every time you begin to feel fearful about anything, say it aloud to yourself as a reminder that the spirit of fear is not of God and can be conquered by faith. Remember, in the presence of faith, fear has no power!