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What Are You Afraid Of?

    What are you afraid of? Fear is something that everyone deals with in their lives. Fear stops us from living in freedom the way we are supposed to in Christ. It can even prevent us from doing the things we are called to do. So why do we give in to fear? Fear is an area that I wrestle with myself. When we know Jesus, we shouldn't have to struggle with fear at all. But there are ways to combat it when we do. 
    
    One way is with the promises of scripture. In my early teens I went through a phase where I was deathly afraid of the dark. It was weird it happened that late in life, but my fears were more advanced and vivid. I imagined all sorts of things that could happen when I hit the light switch. The way that I conquered my fear was by reciting God's promises aloud before I went to sleep and faced the darkness. His words hold power and reminding myself of them helped me to trust Him. 

    The other thing I like to do now is to dissect my fears. What am I even afraid of? Most of the time our fears are silly and unlikely. I like to imagine the worst case scenario of my fears. Using the example of public speaking, I would be afraid to mess up and make a fool out of myself. So what if it does happen? What then? Will it even be a big deal? Does it even matter in the long run? I find most often when I walk out my fears in this way, they all seem trivial and Jesus seems more capable in my mind. 

    When you are feeling afraid, trust in Jesus and find what helps lead you to that point. Remember that He is faithful and more powerful than any work of the enemy. Jesus has defeated death and Satan! Live in that reality when facing the pitiful works of the enemy in your life. 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV)

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (ESV)

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (ESV)

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