*Isaiah 41:10-Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Fear is a powerful word, as well as a powerful reaction. On September 11, 2017 the world is facing a number of tragedies: Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, remembering lives lost, and those affected on 9/11/2001. Today I want to encourage someone that God loves you enough to give you reminders not to be afraid, no matter what you may be facing. Many people say the Bible tells us to "fear not" 365 times...once for each day of the year! However, after doing further research, I found that the topic of fear is mentioned at least 500 times in the KJV Bible. It's amazing to think that God loved us enough to give us a single reminder every day. But He's given us far more than that, because God does not want His people to be afraid.
*2 Timothy 1:7-For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
You may think fear is your only option, but God can give you peace in your storm. Fear will cause you to become so bound that there is no escape, except to call upon the name of the Lord. He can give you a "sound mind," one free from fear. To all those who may have been affected by the recent hurricanes, my heart goes out to you and you are in my prayers. I can't imagine the fear you must be feeling right now. But please don't think God has forgotten you. He will calm the troubled waters of your soul, just like he can calm the physical storm.
When fear grips your heart, doubt enters your mind, and it may seem like all hope is lost. When you're at the end of your rope, remember God is your comfort and your hope. If you have been affected by any sort of storm-whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual, God is able to deliver you.
*Psalm 34:4-I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
I'm not writing this for the person who isn't willing to admit to fear, but for the one who knows that fear has ahold of their heart. It can be so easy to give in to doubt and discouragement. All it takes is a little whisper from the devil that gets the wheels in your head spinning until you become so fearful that you can't see straight. There may be a fog in front of you so thick that you can't see your hand in front of your face. Instead of hiding and weathering the storm alone, cry out to God, and gather strength from His people. It's ok to admit that you're afraid of something. Everyone has experienced fear at some point in their life. It could be fear of losing a job, your home, a family member. It could be fear of failing or not being good enough. No matter what capacity, we have all been afraid.
If you know someone who is battling fear, or who is in a time of life that is causing them to be afraid, here is what you can say: Isaiah 35:4-Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.
Even if you are fearing for your life, God will walk right beside you.
*Psalm 23:4-Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Fear can cause you to lose sight of your faith, but don't forget where God has brought you from. If we put our faith and trust in God, we have no reason to fear. If God be for us, who can be against us? What can come against us that God cannot take care of? There is nothing except our fear and failure to believe. It is what you decide to do with fear that really counts. God doesn't suggest that we be not afraid; it is a command.
*John 14:27-..."Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Fear can take on two very different meanings: Forget Everything And Run, or Face Everything And Rise. Which meaning will you apply to your life? Will you run from your fears or face them head on? It takes courage to overcome fear. We were made to be courageous: "Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:9). Despite the circumstances, you can rise and conquer your fear. Sometimes we have to push past fear to find something better. Fear puts you in the valley; courage takes you to the mountain. You won't be in either place all your life, so you have to make the most of each season. Trust that God will work things out in your life. Remember that He loved you so much, he decided to remind you over 365 times not to fear. He is in control, and He goes before you. With God on our side, we have nothing to fear.
*Psalm 27: 1-The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Click below to hear "Whom Shall I Fear?" by Chris Tomlin: