Monday, June 16, 2014

Do Not Fear by Ann Broughton





“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”
(Isaiah 41:10 NIV).

Does fear have a hold on you at the moment? Is it filling your mind with dread?
Fear can paralyze you. It can lead to depression and great emotional stress which can lead to poor health. As a Christian, it is so important to trust God and not let fear get the upper hand in your life. Here are a few verses that might help you when you are gripped with fear. These are all references from the NIV, version of the Bible, except one.

1. Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

2. Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

3. Joshua 10:25
Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous….”

4. 1 Chronicles 28:20
David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you…”

5.  2 Timothy 1:7 ESV 
For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.

It is so important to not worry about things you have no control over. God wants you to lay your worries and fears at his feet and trust Him to help you with the unknowns of this life. Sometimes the “What ifs” can fill you with dread. But can you really know what the future holds? The most important thing to do is let it go and give it to God. If you consider all the ways He has helped you with your troubles in the past and how you got through them by holding on to your faith, it will help you know that He will never fail you or forsake you in whatever the future holds. 
I know in my own life, that God has never failed to give me the strength to get through all the difficult times in my life. I have felt His peace in the midst of tremendous trials in my life. This is a peace that only He could give me.
If you are feeling fear at this time, please believe that God loves you and wants you to feel His peace. He will protect you from fear. One of my favorite verses is: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:5 NIV).  Give your fear to God and trust Him.
Dear Lord,
It is very easy to be enveloped in fear, but I know that your love and peace is available to me. Please fill me with your peace and help me to lay all my worries at your feet, knowing that you are in control. I know that you will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you for helping me to live a fearless life.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen



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