Fear is an ongoing challenge, isn’t it? So is anxiety. Some time ago, I wrote a blog post chock full of scriptures on dealing with anxiety as a Christian. I sort of think fear and anxiety are first cousins, don’t you? That’s why I wanted to share some of the ways I think through care, and that’s totally what inspired this devotion on fear.
The Bible gives us so much information, but some feelings I wonder about.
For instance, when I read about some of the amazing men in what is called the “Hall of Faith” or Hebrews 11, I often ask myself, “Was he or she afraid?” Many times, I think they were, but they did what David said and “trusted” in the Lord despite the fear.
Psalm 56:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:3 English Standard Version (ESV)
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Prayer: Father, help me to just trust you when I begin to feel fearful. I know you have not given me the spirit to fear, so I reject it. Though I may feel it, I will not let it stop me from accomplishing what you want to do on this earth.
Let’s get started talking about the details of my devotion on fear
Biblical heroes felt fear…I’m sure of it!
They had to be scared! God called them to do “big” things! He’s also calling us to do things that require us to exercise our faith as well.
Be clear about it. It’s very safe to assume each person in the pantheon of faith- ranging from Able to the people who “wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground: in Hebrews 11: 38 – had to have experienced some form of fear.
Devotion on fear point 1: What made the difference?
They didn’t let the fear stop them from obeying God.
Think about it: It’s 100% OK to live fully in our human reality and 100% in our spiritual reality. Nonetheless, one must rule over the other for you to walk in victory. Which will win?
This devotion on fear encourages you to allow faith to guide you through your hard, fearful season. Choose faith over fear. Trust God and do whatever you have to do…in spite of the “it” is.
Devotion on fear point 2: It’s OK to be afraid, but NEVER OK to allow the fear to stop you.
Faith (or trusting in the Lord) is clearly the cornerstone to pleasing God and accomplishing ANYTHING for Him. This devotional on fear is designed to help you see God’s provision for you, but also to challenge you to see the danger in fear.
What danger? The danger of falling short or displeasing Him.
Hebrews 11: 6 (NASB) confirms such because it clearly states:
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Joshua 1:9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Prayer: “Jesus, I want to please you. I want to be the woman of God you called me to be. Please help me remember my fear makes it impossible to please you when it inhibits or stops me from obedience. I want you to be happy with me because I know – even though I may feel fear – you will reward me as I see You and obey You. I’m so comforted knowing You “have my back” and will always take care of me.”
What is the enemy of faith?
In my opinion, worrying is the water that extinguishes the fire of faith. Listen to this quote by a great woman of God:
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” -Corrie ten Boom
Corrie ten Boom was a prominent Christian whose family helped many Jews escape the holocaust.
Her quotes are profound and cut through logic, natural wisdom, and have a way of seeping into your soul and illuminating God’s divine wisdom and promises.
You know she had to be scared at times.
You know, worry crept into the recesses of her life …at times.
The problem is not the worrisome thoughts; the problem is entertaining them.
After you worry, what will soon follow is full-blown, paralyzing fear.
I've found a cool devotion on fear for Christian women. Check it out. Click To TweetDevotion on fear tip: How to dispel the worry.
Trust Jesus to lead you in what you should do to accomplish His work. Then, you trust Him to handle what you cannot fix.
Simple as that. It just takes a little discipline.
Be blessed and trust God with the future, Christian Woman!
Psalm 34:4 New International Version (NIV)
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:7 New International Version (NIV)
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Devotion on Fear Prayer: ” Thank you for answering me, Heavenly Father, and setting me free from this fear. I have no reason to fear because you will protect me. You are faithful and your love will keep me and secure me.
Pin this devotion on fear!
I promise you’ll need it one day in the future!
Additional Scriptures about Fear
Isaiah 41:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Philippians 4:6-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 41:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
13 “For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
Psalm 23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the [d]valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 [g]Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord [i]forever.
John 14:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
Jesus doesn’t want us afraid.
Mark 6:49-50 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and *said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.”
Psalm 56:4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
4 In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid.
What can mere man do to me?
Psalm 31:19-22 The Message (MSG)
19-22 What a stack of blessing you have piled up
for those who worship you,
Ready and waiting for all who run to you
to escape an unkind world.
You hide them safely away
from the opposition.
As you slam the door on those oily, mocking faces,
you silence the poisonous gossip.
Blessed God!
His love is the wonder of the world.
Trapped by a siege, I panicked.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” I said.
But you heard me say it,
you heard and listened.
Luke 12:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Genesis 15:1 English Standard Version (ESV)
15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
Exodus 14:13 English Standard Version (ESV)
13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
This verse makes me say “YAY-YUH!”
Isaiah 43:1 English Standard Version (ESV)
Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
Andy Stanley has a way of breaking things down so skillfully. Check out this sermon.
1 Peter 5:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Matthew 10:28 English Standard Version (ESV)
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Christian Lady, this is clearly my devotion on fear for women. But I like the sentiment of this scripture…even though it says “men”. 🙂
1 Corinthians 16:13 English Standard Version (ESV)
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
