Fear or Faith?
Verse of the Day
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Devotional
I believe one of the greatest problems affecting people today stems from a small four-letter word called "fear". Yet, what great distress it can bring us and at times can even dictate the kind of decisions we make. I am not talking about the healthy kind of fear that preserves your life (like driving carefully and cautiously on slippery roads!). I am talking about fears that are based on unreal and often imagined disasters. For instance, if you are afraid of heights, you may feel paralyzed at the thought of flying, so try to avoid it as much as possible. Some people may have anxiety about leaving their house (agoraphobia); others are afraid of enclosed or tight spaces (claustrophobia).
Some people try many things to try to overcome their fears, like talking to a counselor or reading books about how to overcome it. Still others try to face their fears by taking greater risks or facing the thing they fear the most (like flying even though they are afraid of heights or enclosed places). The problem with trying to cure fear though, is that even though you may overcome one fear, you may find you have other fears to overcome that are just as daunting as the one you overcame.
My own fears have been many and frequent (like fear of flying and public speaking), but I have usually forged ahead in spite of them. A couple of years ago, however, I found myself entertaining so many fears that it began to affect my life in a debilitating way. After doing much research, I discovered that of all the books and articles written about fear, the Bible is one of the best and most reliable resources. For instance, I learned that fear is not from God, but rather from an unwelcome spiritual source that is demonic.
If you really think about it, people who live in a constant state of fear and anxiety do not and cannot have a sound mind. It is not until a person experiences the "peace and love of God" that they can know true serenity. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment" (I John 4:18). God loves you and I with a perfect love even though we ourselves are far from perfect. This in itself is a tremendously comforting thought. Like a mother or a father wants to protect their child, so does God want to protect us.
This love that God has for us has been proved to me time and time again. I have learned that all I have to do when faced with fear is remember that I don't HAVE TO give in to it. I can choose to believe that God will help me and protect me because of His great love and care. I know He will do the same for you!
Prayer
Pray against every thought contrary to peace; for a mind that's filled with faith thoughts and the courage and willingness to obey God's Word.
Reflection
Meditate on Philippians 4:6-8. What do these verses mean to you? Be specific: make a list.
Other Relevant Verses
- Psalm 91
- I John 4:4,7-18
- Philippians 4:6-8
(2) I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
(3) Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
(4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
(5) Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
(6) Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
(7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
(8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
(9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
(10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
(11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
(12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
(13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
(14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
(15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
(16) With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
(7) Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
(8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
(9) In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
(10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
(11) Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
(12) No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
(13) Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
(14) And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
(15) Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
(16) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
(17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
(7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.