2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Fear is a powerful weapon that our enemy, Satan uses to keep us from doing God’s will. The majority of people who live today have been overcome by anxiety and worry at one time or another. Fear is not a new tactic of Satan’s though. Even in Bible times, he used fear to paralyze God’s people and keep them from obeying God. God tells His people not to fear over 365 times and in every book of the Bible. He knew the plan of Satan was to attack His people through fear, just as it is his plan today.
I know all about fear. I have suffered from intense social anxiety and generalized anxiety since childhood. I have suffered from intense panic attacks. I still suffer at times, but through the assurance of my heavenly Father, I am so much better today. I hang on to God and I know that those peace-filled words of Do Not Be Afraid are meant to reassure us today, as they were meant to reassure God’s people in Bible times.
God is in control, today and forever. He gives us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline. There is absolutely nothing in this world that we need to be afraid of. Feeling fearful is not a bad thing in itself, but allowing that fear to paralyze us and keep us from obeying God is where our fear can lead to sin.
If you are feeling fearful now or have on-going issues with worry or anxiety, know that God understands and is always beside you to guide you and even carry you through whatever it is you are fearful of.
When you are fearful, I encourage you to pray the prayer that David prayed, when he was seized by the Philistines:
Psalm 56:3-4
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
What are you fearful of right now?
Surrender your fear to God.
Ask God what He wants you to do in this situation and no matter how hard it is, trust God to walk beside you every step of the way.
Step out in obedience to God. You may still feel the fear, but real courage is feeling the fear and stepping out in obedience anyways. You just have to trust in God and do it anyways. You have to take that risk. No matter what the consequences are, if God is telling you to move, then you need to move.
Start your own list of “fear not” scriptures to use at times when Satan attacks you with anxiety and worry.
I understand how debilitating fear can be. I have lived in that prison for far to long. I am slowly starting to tear down those walls and as scary as it is, it is also empowering.
I want to start a list on here of the “fear not” scriptures. I want to share my own testimony of how God and God alone is breaking down the walls of that self-made prison. I want to hear from you. I want to hear your testimony of how God delivered you from that prison of fear. I want to hear from you, if you are still suffering.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS BATTLE!!!
Contact me and let me encourage you as you break free from fear.
As always, God loves you, friend and so do I!
Patti Burris 