Conquering Fear

“Now when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were together due to fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and *said to them, “Peace be to you.”  John 20:19

There is a prevailing theme on the different Facebook pages that I read from pastors to Christian moms – fear and anxiety. Whether it is due to the Covid years or the pace and overload of information of this era, it seems to be pervading our minds and conversations. And yet, as Christians, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7) We have the Holy Spirit within us (1 Cor. 6:19). We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:10).

Satan loves to speak fear into our hearts and keep us from the love and truth of God. The opposite of fear is trust. The only way that we can trust God, is to know God through His word. “When I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Ps. 56:3). Instead of posting about our fears to get our ears tickled by others, as children of God, we must take our fears to God because “Greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

How do we conquer fear? We get into the Bible through study and prayer. Reading a devotional book is not the same as reading and studying the Bible. A devotional is like a snack. We need to be feasting on Truth as found in the Bible. We gain trust in God as we see Him working through others’ lives throughout history as recorded in Scripture. We gain courage as we read assurances of God’s faithfulness. We gain a deep love for God as we understand His overarching purpose in this world and our part in it. We gain fortitude as we know who we are in Christ, as we are seated with Him in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6) and learn and practice how to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Fear is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of spiritual immaturity. It’s time to grow up and claim the truth of Jesus. As the disciples stood, having heard about the empty tomb, they were afraid. Jesus appears to them and tells them, “Peace be with you” (John 20: 19).

We can conquer fear! We are not of this world; we serve a powerful almighty, Creator God who is our Father. Do we need to fear? Maybe for a moment as we process circumstances, but then we need to pray to God to deliver us and guide us through. Our hope is in eternity, not this world.

If fear has its grip on you, lean into God. Believe in Jesus in your situation. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6). Your friends on Facebook don’t have the answers or the peace of Jesus. Look to Your Heavenly Father and know peace and joy.

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