Skip to main content

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)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

He Time

     We have now gone over me time and we time, so today I want to address He time. It's a pretty simple concept-- that we have to spend time with Jesus to grow our faith. Just like anything else we want to get better at, you have to spend time doing it. In the case of Christianity, we are changed into the image of Jesus as we spend time with Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)     My message is as simple as this-- make sure that you are setting time aside for Christ. You will never change if you don't continually immerse yourself into His presence. We need to be spending time in His word so we know His promises and guidelines for our life, in prayer to speak to Him for individual direction in our circumstances, and worshipping Him for His goodness.     Do not le...

Here's to New Beginnings!

    As 2014 begins, with it comes talk of a fresh start and new beginnings. Resolutions are made to eat healthier, save money, travel, learn a new skill etc. But as Christ followers, the new year is always a good reminder of who we are in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. (HCSB) Galatians 2:20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (HCSB) Ephesians 4:22-24 You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. (HCSB) Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let...

Knock-Knock

Revelation 3:20   Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (ESV)     When you think of a gentleman what comes to mind? A man who holds open doors, pulls out your chair, and helps you with your coat? Whatever your definition is, one thing I think we can agree on is that a gentleman is never pushy. He is "gentle" and meek, respecting all those around him. To me, Jesus is the perfect example of a gentleman.     A gentleman never pushes for his way, but respects your thoughts and opinions even if they disagree with his own. But that doesn't mean that he lets his own beliefs fall to the wayside because of what you believe. Does that not describe Jesus? He waits for us to make our choices, but remains the same perfect, faithful and unchanging God. We were always created to have free will. We have a choice to have a relationship with Jesus, or not. To sin, or not. To...