Fear was my nemesis for years, and still can be if I’m not careful and alert to its cunning ways. Fear of health issues, not that they would “hurt” me but of how they would effect my family … Fear of death, not of dying but of leaving my children without a mother. Fear of people, not of physical harm but of hurtful opinions, words, or actions. Fear of self, of failing others or disappointing God, fear of my past and of the future … you name it – I probably feared it. Fear is a captor like no other! It’s personal and crippling, even deadly if we don’t find the keys that loosen the captor’s grip.
I wasn’t an anxious child growing up. Don’t get me wrong – my brothers knew how to sneak up behind me and scare me. Snakes and spiders scared me but not life or people. I grew up in a safe small town where I was allowed to run and play in the neighborhood, ride my bike, or walk blocks to my friend’s house, school, piano practice, the library or the pool with friends or by myself. Long before cell phones came along I often walked alone and unafraid. Somewhere along the way, after I was grown and married, that changed and fear entered my life and eventually took hold of me.
God’s promises, love, and presence rescued me from fear’s tight grip.
I can look back now and see the fingerprints of God. He knew one day fear would become my captor and He began to prepare me for that day. All those years going to church – God had a plan. Sunday school lessons and Bible drills – God had a plan. My high school years in a Christian school where memorizing Scripture (thanks to Mrs. Hall) played a big part – God had a plan. Scripture memory resurfaced in my life years later with a friend from church who asked me to be her “memory partner” – God had a plan. How do I know He had a plan? Because, the Scriptures and many of the verses I had read or put to memory became keys that would one day unlock the captor’s hold on me. One of those verses, the first to loosen the chains, came from the prophet Isaiah, who wrote: You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You 💜 (Isaiah 26:3). The second key was just as powerful – Don’t be anxious about any thing but by prayer and petition present your request to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus … Philippians 4:6-7 🙌 God had been weaponizing me for the day of battle, preparing me to stand firm with the belt of truth securely in place.
What about you?
Is the grip of fear tightening around you? Perhaps it already has you bound by its fingers of anxiety, distress, and desperation … hurry to God’s Word – listen for His voice – hear Him say: “Do not be afraid for I am with you, do not be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” (Isa 41:10). Look at the blood stained cross and the empty tomb, recall the depth of His love and the reality of His promises and rest in Him regardless of what fear is telling you – “Be still and know that He is God” (Isa 46.10).
Me from the InsideOut 💕
Other keys: prayer … walking … a trusted friend … helping or serving others … learning trigger points … an awareness of the enemy, he’s real and he’s armed and dangerous! … Scripture/Gospel centered music … an Arsenal of Scripture combatting fear (start with Philippians 4:4-8) – written on cards or memorized and hidden in your heart …
Want more help on conquering fear checkout this devotional by David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.org/magazine/daily-devotional?date=2022-02-12&tid=email_edevo-wknd-021222