Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)
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.
Fear – four letters that raise the blood pressure and cause anxiety. And in 2009, fear has touched the lives of millions. Fear of losing a job. Fear of losing a spouse. Fear of losing a child. Fear of losing our health. Fear of losing a home. Fear of not being all we can be for God. Fear can consume every part of our life.
Fear was the topic of a sermon I heard recently. It reminded me of my fears, and it also reminded me that God knows my fears.
“Be not dismayed for I am your God.”
When fear grips our lives, we need to turn to God. We need to remember his words to us – Be not dismayed for I am your God. Although it seems difficult, and sometimes impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel, we need to hold on to God’s words of encouragement.
GOD will not give us more than we can handle. He already gave us his SON – the fulfillment of all fears this life can give. It’s when we take our eyes off JESUS and his finished work on the Cross that we allow fear to take control.
We can’t live in FEAR – afraid to live; afraid to experience the joy of life of taking a train ride, a boat ride, an airplane ride. God is with us during the day and at night and everywhere we go on every form of transportation. He knows the beginning, middle and end of our lives – he knows our every thought and he knows the plans he has for us – and they don’t include living in fear.
“I will strengthen you and help you.”
With God’s strength, we can overcome any fear. But we must first ASK for help, which for many A-type personalities is a difficult thing to do. As I wrote that last sentence, Matt 7:7 came to mind, “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek, and you will find, knock, and it shall be opened to you.” When in fear, ask for God’s strength to overcome the fear.
“I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God is there for us – he is our tower of strength in times of FEAR. He will hold us in the palm of his hand – protecting us from harm. But – in order to believe he can, we have to believe in Jesus Christ, his son. We can’t ask God to uphold us unless he sees his Son in us.
Fear can overtake us at every turn – and it will if we let it.
During the recent Halloween festivities, I was reminded of my commitment to God over thirty years ago to NOT celebrate any holiday that does not bring GLORY to God. And I stood firm on this commitment this year. And I believe I made an impression on my workplace by denying the holiday, “I don’t celebrate a holiday that doesn’t bring glory to God.” I didn’t let the fear of rejection from my coworkers keep me from speaking my faith; I was the only employee that confessed this statement out loud. As the volunteer photographer for company events, I declined this event. And many approached me with, “Why?” My reason allowed me to share my faith.
Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)
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.
If you believe in Jesus, when FEAR tries to take control, repeat this scripture over and over until it touches the FEAR and destroys it!
If you don’t believe in Jesus, it’s time you do. Ask Jesus into your heart today and accept his strength to help you overcome your fears.
© Nancy Carey
author: My Sister My Hero Cathy Porter Ms. Wheelchair Maryland 2007
