DO NOT BE AFRAID

• Day 1
• Fear File: You. That part of you that is still struggling with fear. Do not be afraid.
• Scripture: John 14:27b

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27b

The first thing I researched as I started to work on this devotional series was fear. Because, I believe, definitions are a good place to start. You want to know what you are addressing before you address it. So I dusted my psychology notes and asked google and I discovered that fear is natural. 

It is my human response to perceived or imagined danger. My brain responds to this fear in one of two ways: fight (confront, oppose, stand my ground in face of danger) or flight (run, hide, or remove yourself from danger). What this tells me is that fear can be a profitable emotion; there to warn me of danger and prepare me to respond. 

When we look through the bible, the first place we find fear is in Genesis 3 after what we call the fall of man. So that tells me that fear is not God’s original design. It came with every other thing that corrupted the world. Corruption entered through one man but through another man, Jesus, you can live above corruption.

Feeling Afraid VS Being Afraid

When God said, “Do not be afraid.” You have to understand that God knows you will feel afraid. He knows your frame, He knows you are in this fear-filled world. So He said “do not be afraid and not do not feel afraid. There’s a huge difference between a being and a feeling. You can feel fear and still not be afraid. 

A feeling is fleeting, here now gone tomorrow. A being is constant; a default response or a heart condition. What is the condition of your heart? What is your default setting? Do you respond from fear or from faith? Now is a good time to examine your heart.

You can change your heart condition through the word. When you come upon a fearful situation, find out what God’s word says about His nature, about you, and about the situation. This order is important. Because your fears are overcome by the nature of God.

5 Scriptures To Help You Overcome Fear This Year

1. Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

2. Isaiah 41:13

For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ 

3. Psalm 27:1

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?

4. Hebrews 13:6

So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

5. Psalm 46:1-2b

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.

I encourage you to meditate on these scriptures and others. The word of God builds our faith and drowns our fear.