Fear

Everyone fears something. 
I myself am a very fearful person. I fear tight spaces, heights, cats, someone kidnapping me... the list goes on. Of course there are some healthy, rational fears like walking across a high tightrope or bungee jumping off a building but I’ve come to realize that fear can cause you to miss out on so much in life. When your fears become the forefront of your life, they consume you. You start living your life saying “what if this..” and “what if that..” happens. When fear runs your life, you could miss out on an opportunity that God is calling you to do. 

God tells us 350 times in the Bible to “fear not!” He puts us in situations to confront a fear and take a risk. 

• He stands by our side before, during, and after. 
• Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
• He tells us He will never leave us.
• Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
• He tells us to not be discouraged. 
• Isaiah 41:10 says, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I know many people are getting ready to go off to college for the first time or are just graduating college and looking for a job. This is definitely a time where you can choose:: either to let fear rule your life or to allow God’s inevitable power to free you from your fears and direct you in the path He has paved specifically for you. 

God knows that fear will not get us through danger. However, love can. When you have the will to persevere even in the face of fear, it can show unbelievers the faith and trust you have in Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” If we love truly Jesus, we are supposed to keep our eyes on Him and believe in what He has created for us.”

So starting today, let Jesus take you out of the places in your life that bind you to fear, and you will begin noticing opportunities in your life that will cause you to focus on Him and fear not.