Sunday Meditations – Are You Afraid?
Recently I’ve been thinking about fear. What is fear? How much power does it have? Am I letting fear control my thoughts and actions?
The dictionary definition of fear (noun) is “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.”
Fear is very, very controlling. I know this because of experience. My fears have controlled me for a long time.
My thoughts and actions have been dictated by fear.
This week, I finally realized what was going on in my head and in my spirit.
And I’m done. Done with being afraid.
Why?
Because there are exactly sixty-one “Fear Nots” in Scripture and I’m not even counting the other verses that talk about anxiety. Obviously God doesn’t want me to fear because He commands me not to. {I’m a slow learner!}
*Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
*After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1
*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. Isaiah 41:10
I plan to memorize many of the “Fear Not” verses, which will strengthen me as I battle fear. I have to give everything to Jesus. He alone can carry me and my anxieties.
Do you struggle with fear? Does it control you? How do you conquer fear?
Fear is definitely a big issue for me. It’s a direct symptom of post traumatic stress, which I have experienced for years….even before I knew that’s what it was! I struggle lots of days with being overcome by it or working to overcome it instead. It’s hard learning to just rest in God and let Him be in control when everything feels so out-of-control. Another thing I’ve noticed is that my secondary emotion to fear had become anger so that was even worse to realize that I was allowing my fears to overwhelm to the point of causing me to react badly to situations that triggered me.
I’m thankful that God is so merciful and gracious though. And so able to help us through His word and Holy Spirit when we seek Him. For those of us who have so many fears it’s a daily challenge to allow ourselves to be helped instead of giving over to the feelings. Praying that you and I will both be able to trust God and not fear!
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It is so true! So many women are tied up with fear. I have seen in my own life that the bigger God and heaven get to me- the less I am free.
the more I trust and praise in what He’s already done – the more I can believe in what He will do! Trusting that He allows everything to happen – and believing it’s all filtered thru Him – I can have peace in His will.
Stef
.-= stef´s last blog ..Multitude =-.
2 Timothy 1:7 says:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Rest in that dear Myra.
Blessings on this Lord’s Day!
Linda
I used to have a lot of fears but just like you, I have come to realize that with the Lord I have nothing to fear. Also, there is so much hope offered in the scriptures for those who trust in Him and have faith, so I have been doing what I can to focus on strengthening my faith and my testimony. I want to be on the Lord’s side and know I need to have a better understanding of what that really means. So, rather than fear I have become focused on learning and listening to the Spirit.
Great post!
Such a great post! I think God knew so many of us would struggle with fear- why else would He have so much to say about it in the Scripture?!
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Praying for you as you (and God) conquer your fear! 🙂
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Fear can be debilitating and is a tool the enemy employs to stop us stepping into Gods plan. We can be afraid to step out but also still have a reliance on God, as Joyce Myer says “Do it afraid” 🙂 Lxx