The most common command in Scripture is “Fear not!” God knew that we would struggle with fear, and it is fear that threatens to keep us from trusting and obeying God. There are two mindsets for living. One is faith-based—you trust God’s power and have confidence and rest in Him. The other is fear-based—you fear what may happen and see life from a “what if” perspective. What if I lose my job, my spouse, my child? What if the economy fails? What if I get a terminal illness? Two different people can face the same situation and respond in totally different ways depending on their mindset/perspective. Perspective makes all the difference. It separates the trivial from the tragic, the majors from the minors. Trusting in God helps us gain the right perspective, the God-designed perspective. We can live with a mindset that is grounded in our faith in God through Christ.

Scriptures
Isa 41:10, 26:3; 2 Tim 1:7; Ps 34:4, 56:1-4

Verse
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. (2 Tim 1:7)
I sought the LORD, and he delivered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Ps 34:4)

Thought
Some of life’s most common fears include the fear of loss, the fear of failure, the fear of rejection, and the fear of the unknown. Whatever your fear, fear is not from God. God wants His children to live with power, love, and self-control. To battle fear requires that we acknowledge the fear and give it to God. We must place our trust in God and allow him to deliver us. His delivery method will probably take some time. The key is to seek God by reading his Word, talk to him day and night, tell him what’s on your heart each step of the way until He calms your spirit, eases your heart, and takes your fear away. Life is too short to live in fear. Fear will drag you down. Don’t accept it; don’t resign yourself to it. The God who created you and loves you wants to deliver you from fear so you can live in freedom by His power.

Questions
What has been the most fearful situation of your life? Do you battle fear on a regular basis? What is your greatest fear right now? Do you have a nagging fear that is always there? Why do you think this is a great fear for you? Do you know anyone who lives in fear all the time? Do you know anyone who truly has fearless faith in God?

Response
Identify the fears that are holding you back in life, in faith, in your relationships. Acknowledge your need for God’s help. Seek Him relentlessly through prayer and Bible reading. Share your fear with a Christian friend and ask them to pray for you and with you.

Prayer
Oh God, you are my God. In You I put my hope and trust. I will not fear because you are with me now and always. Lift me above my small and fearful perspective to see my fears in the light of your power. Help me to trust you more and more each day. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.