Help for the Fearful

Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 (New American Standard Bible)

What do you do when you are afraid? I use to call or email a friend or two and depend on them to put my mind at ease. I waited for them to speak just the right words, give me assurance and a guarantee that everything would be okay, and build up my courage. I looked to them to verbally put their arms around me, draw me close, and tell me things to make me feel safe, secure, and cared for. If it worked, it was only temporary and not the best option.

My Father is growing me up in my faith. He keeps saying, “Come to me and I will give you rest. Learn from Me. Listen to Me. Lean on Me. Go to my servants in the Bible and they will whisper my words of courage and assurance to you. Look to Me for the assurance you seek.” What an invitation! And when I take Him up on it I find more than I ever imagined possible. There is something about going directly to God for help that goes deeper and is more lasting than the experience I will have with even the best of wise, caring, and loving people.

Trust me, it has taken a long time and numerous disappointments for me to finally see this. God is presently walking me through the process of taking my fears to Him and I would like to share with you what I have discovered so far.

I am learning there are steps to take in order to experience the words of Joshua 1:9. First, I must recognize that I am fearful. My fear may range anywhere from uneasiness to terror. But big or small it is fear. Then I must acknowledge it to God and ask Him to reveal to me what exactly I am fearful of. It may be a task I feel ill equipped to handle, a danger I am facing, a disappointment I am anticipating, or a request I fear He will deny. Joyce Meyer said, “Fear is simply faith in what Satan says.” Today I say, “Faith is simply believing what God says!” So my next step is to take in Scripture that reassures and calms me. I typed out a page of rich verses that I plan to make my companions today! Every time I read them and own them, my courage will grow and my belief in the right One will be strengthened. Is it working? Absolutely!

Father, today it is You who has calmed my fears. With verses in hand, I step into a new day with courage and strength. Amen.