Devotional for Fear
Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Sometimes fear is completely understandable and appropriate. For example, trying to walk across a busy highway is likely to evoke some fear. Completely appropriate!
But sometimes our fear can paralyze us into stagnation and hinder us from growth.
I remember being a little girl, and I would be petrified in my room because I believed someone was standing in there. I would be too afraid to cry out for my mom. But I also didn't have enough courage to leave the room. I would put the covers over my head and try to go back to sleep, usually to no avail. And then, as light began to shine into the darkness of my room, I would see that the dreadful stranger was really a bathrobe or some random combination of objects.
That was a situation where my eyes played tricks on me, and my emotions fueled my false perceptions, leading to negative thoughts.
How often does that happen to you? Are you letting fear fuel false perceptions that lead to negative thoughts?
- What if I'm not good enough?
- What if I fail?
- Other people are better than me, so why try?
- Who do I think I am?
In marriage and family life, fear looks like:
- ‘What if our marriage fails?’
- ‘What if I’m ruining my kids?’
- ‘What if the money never comes?’
These are all thoughts that can get in the way of following God's path for us or trying something new to explore our talents.
And we all get paralyzed by fear sometimes—even after we know the verses. That doesn’t make you faithless; it makes you human. The good news? Jesus wasn’t afraid to enter our fear (He sweat blood in Gethsemane). He meets us right in the middle of it with the same gentle voice that calmed the storm: ‘Do not be afraid—I am with you.’
I'm reminded of the movie, "Facing the Giants." It has a great message and goes along with the topic of fear and not allowing doubt to hinder your ability. In the movie, one of the boys was talking to his dad about wanting to join the football team, but was not sure he would make it. The dad said, "Son, you're already not on the team. You can't be any more, not on the team."
I found that line to be such a great nugget. How often are we worried that we are not going to make the "team," in whatever capacity that means to you? But you're currently not on the team anyway.
I love the song The Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns, which talks about overcoming fear by listening to God, our voice of truth.
Here are some of the lyrics:
Oh, what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown, where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name, and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Overcoming fear together looks like:
- Praying out loud when the fear feels bigger than the room
- Saying to your spouse, ‘I’m scared, but I’m choosing to trust God with you’
- Teaching your kids to say ‘When I am afraid, I will trust in You’ by watching you do it first
- Holding hands in the dark and reminding each other, ‘God is with us—He’s never failed us yet’
Did you know that the bible states the phrase "do not be afraid" 70 times in the NIV translation? It's obviously and area we all could use some help with.
Take the time to read the Bible scriptures below and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
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?
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears in not made perfect in love.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Here's a short prayer if you're struggling to find the words:
Father, I’m afraid—of failure, of the future, of not being enough. Thank You that You’re not angry at my fear; You’re right here in it with me. Calm the storm in my heart and home the way You calmed the sea. Help my spouse and me choose Your voice of truth today, even when the waves are loud. Replace our fear with Your perfect love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Try one of these today:
- When fear hits, say out loud (even if your voice shakes), ‘When I am afraid, I will trust in You’ (Psalm 56:3).
- Text or tell your spouse or a close friend one specific fear you’re giving to God today—and ask them to pray it with you.
- Play or sing one line of ‘Voice of Truth’ and declare, ‘We will listen and believe the voice of truth.'
I sincerely pray that these verses help you release the grip of fear on your heart and go forward with God's strength and courage.
God bless,
Melissa
