March 29th, 2017

10 Concerns in the Christians Walk with God – Part 3
 
3. Conquer an Overwhelming Fear 
We can all relate to experiencing fear in one form or another. It’s a natural emotion just like grief or anger. You don’t ever coach yourself, “I think I need to feel afraid.” You don’t have to plan it—fear just happens. We have nothing to fear—and yet we do fear. We need an answer for our worries. What do you fear as you’re going through a storm? It may not be the storm itself, but what’s coming afterward. Or someone who's just been diagnosed with a chronic illness—it’s not the news today, it’s tomorrow and next week.
 
It’s the worry of, ”What will happen to me? Will I be okay?”  The unknown results and outcomes may drive your fears. But there is an alternative. In the midst of the storm you do not have to fear the future. God is with you. Nothing comes into your life but what Almighty God allows. Nothing comes into your life that God doesn’t already know about. And since He is with you, you don’t have to fear.
 
Too many Christians want the benefit of claiming “God is with me,” but spend too little time talking to the God who is with them. Can fear be avoided entirely? Probably not. But Scripture gives us an alternative plan that prepares for, and responds to, fear. 
 
Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” God's Word gives us hope when we find ourselves overtaken by fear. Instead of wallowing in it we can put our trust in Him. We can deliberately turn away from fear and toward the Lord. This affirmation is also found in Isaiah 12:2, “…I will trust, and not be afraid...” 
 
Why wait for fears to come before you decide to trust God? Practice trusting Him as a daily exercise—spend time in His Word and in prayer. When you do you may not even notice how many fears you’ll simply pass by because your attention will be on the One who is not threatened by anything.
 

• In what ways do you struggle with fear?
• How can faith, particularly in the promise of God’s presence, overcome your fears?

 Prayer, Father, You are with me so I never face my fears alone. And You are for me so who can stand against me? You gave Your own Son for me and You will graciously give me all I need. When I fear, help me to cling to Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Help me to speak and live fearlessly because You are with me. I am never alone. You are with me. I commit this truth to my heart right now. May this simple, profound truth sustain me today. In the power of Your name, amen.