My parents are some of the most incredible people on the planet, hands down…and if you try to tell me yours are better, I’ll probably fight you (with a smile on my face, of course).
My parents were always careful to monitor what us kids watched on television and in movies. I specifically remember not being allowed to watch certain cartoons because some of the material encouraged evil and sorcery. As a child, you can’t possibly understand this kind of thing, so you just go along with it...and sometimes you argue with your parents until you get into trouble.
Even though I grew up in a safe, healthy environment, I still struggled with intense nightmares as a child. There is no way that I could have made up some of the things I saw in my nightmares...they were intense. I remember countless nights of feeling “frozen” with fear.
But every time I would wake up crying out for my mom and dad to come rescue me, one of them would come rushing in and immediately hold me close. Without fail, they would pray the sweetest, most tender, and yet powerful prayer over my mind and heart. There was no greater feeling than the feeling of safety that would overwhelm me after they prayed. It was very clear to me at that time that prayer worked, that Jesus loved me, and that the devil hated me.
Fear is a very real thing. It can be incredibly debilitating. Fear tells us lies about who we are, what we can and can’t do, who loves us, and who doesn’t. Sometimes fear will creep in through the most unexpected ways, like through a friend trying to offer advice. Maybe it comes in the form of a rejection from a position you were applying for at work.
Sometimes it looks like “jealousy” because everyone else is dating and you’re not..but really it’s just fear of not ever meeting the right person. It’s fear that God doesn’t have the best for you…I know that one all too well.
When I was walking through some of my darkest days last year, I learned something that I couldn’t have learned as a child. I had to learn this on my own..I had to make it real for myself, as an adult.
I learned how powerful prayer is over fear.
Yes, fear is a real thing…and it comes ONLY from a very real enemy (satan). BUT, God is even more REAL than that. He REALLY won, and He will continue to REALLY win forevermore.
The truth is, there will be good days, and there will be days that you wished never happened. And sometimes those days that you never wished happened lead to fears about the future. Then, if we don’t allow God to help us address those fears, they can become so deeply rooted in us. I’ve even been so discouraged by my failures in relationships or past jobs, that I didn’t even want to talk to God about it. I was so scared to let him into that part of my life, because I was afraid of failing again. Meanwhile, I imagine this patient and wonderful creator of the universe, just waiting for me to call upon Him for help. He was waiting for me to trust Him to take care of the very things that paralyzed me with fear.
But let’s not forget the most powerful weapon that we have access to all the time! A weapon that doesn’t actually need an introduction or proof. This weapon has been said to be sharper than any two edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12)
This is THE WORD OF GOD. This is the Bible.
When we speak the words of God we combat fears. Fear only has the power we give it in our lives. So if we continue to feed fears by listening to everyone’s opinions all of the time, instead of going to God’s word for validation, then that fear grows.
What if we decided that every time a fear of rejection, failure, or stepping out in faith comes into our mind - that we immediately open up the word of God (Bible), and search fervently for a scripture that combats that lie? Imagine how that would alter the course of our day!
For example. FEAR: “What if I never find the right man/woman for my life? What if I always screw relationships up?”
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is ABLE to do immeasurably more than what we can ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us.”
So…if your fear is that you won’t get a job that is the desire of your heart. If you fear that your past failed relationships will be your pattern for life, remember that God is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than what we can ask or imagine. He is able.
I’m not sure there is much more to say about why we shouldn’t fear…and what I have learned from allowing fear into my life. But I will leave you with a list of scriptures that have helped me along the way.
I want to encourage you to dig into the word of God for yourself. Find scriptures that will combat those fears. I can promise you that your heart will be strengthened in speaking out the words of God over your life. Let God into your life long enough to help you deal with those fears. He wants us to be free of them! Just like my parents rushed to my side when I cried out in fear, God comes rushing in to our side, holds us, and speaks life over us.
Disclaimer: Once you open up the bible and realize how good it is, you might not want to put it down. It will bring you life, hope, peace, and strengthen you. Just so you know…ENOY forever.
Psalm 23 - ALL OF IT. :)
Psalm 27:1 “the Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Whom shall I fear?”
Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and self discipline.”
Psalm 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fea, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my gracious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord you God, who takes hold o four right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage, be strong.”
1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..”
