Take Courage: You Are No Longer a Slave to Fear
We often define fear as a basic human emotion. Everyone fears something – right? It’s normal to feel afraid when it comes to your career, major life decisions, your children, etc. But if fear is an emotion that God designed for us to feel, why does He command us in the Bible to not be afraid? As a child of God, you are no longer a slave to fear. Do you really believe this truth about yourself? Do you choose to trust God and take courage in your day-to-day life?
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Fear is not of God.
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:7
Throughout the entirety of the Bible, God commands His people to not be afraid. Fear was never his intention for us, rather fear is one of the many ways the enemy likes to operate. He wants you to live in fear because it cripples us. It keeps us from doing all that God designed for us to do.
Fear also demonstrates a lack of trust in God. Because if we truly trusted in God’s goodness and faithfulness, we would never be afraid.
We feel fear when we are believing a lie.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
God is with you wherever you go. I don’t know about you, but this is so amazing to think about. Everywhere I go, He goes with me.
What we have to remember about these words found in the book of Joshua is that God was speaking to him concerning all that he was about to do and accomplish. Joshua was going to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land and face numerous enemies who were much bigger and stronger than they were. Without God, it was a suicide mission. If there was ever a time to justify one’s fear, this was it!
But even when faced with an impossible task, God commanded Joshua not to be afraid. He would be with Joshua every step of the way, and the same is true for us today.
We rid ourselves of fear by abiding in God’s truth.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. – 1 John 4:18
Let me ask you a question. What do we as Christians have to fear? (And no, this is not a trick question.) Is there anything in this world that we would be justified to fear?
The truth is that we do live in a world filled with pain and trying circumstances. It was Jesus who said that in this world we would have trouble. But He also said to take courage because He has overcome the world. When bad things happen (and Jesus said they will) we don’t have to be afraid. Even death itself has been defeated!
As a child of God, you are no longer a slave to fear. It can no longer dictate your life, rather you can choose to take courage and rest in God’s truth.
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*Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
**Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
