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Today's Devotional
"FEARS"
"FEARS"
by
Jan Andersen
We have all experienced some degree of fear in our lives. It generally is caused by experiencing something believed to be of danger to us. Fear has a wide range of degrees, from simple caution about a situation to extreme terror or phobia. Our response to this alarm can range from consciously shaking it off like after someone accidentally startles us, to a subconscious response such as nightmares or flash backs after an extremely distressing incident. Fear can be helpful if it leads us to taking proper precautions, such a not walking alone in an unfamiliar dark alley. However, fear can also be paralyzing or unhealthy such as when someone has agoraphobia, the fear of leaving one's home. Some people develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after experiencing an event that is extremely scary or dangerous, and they continue to feel stressed or frightened well beyond the initial event when triggered. With fears there can be a whole host of related emotions such as apprehension, worry, alarm, panic, horror, dread or anxiety. The things we are afraid of are also wide-ranging and can be real or imagined. It can be as simple as an object or thing such as bugs or mice, or a threat to our health such as fear of contracting cancer. Situations can cause fear such as impending danger, possible pain, being in an intimate relationship, taking a risk, or wondering what the future holds. The list is endless. Some fears can be very disabling.
The good news is, we can turn to God for help in our anxieties and distress. God knows our hearts and loves us no matter the maturity of our faith. We can lay our fears at his feet and trust him to give us the strength to move through our trepidation to the other side. Our faith miraculously grows as we experience God's guiding hand in our troubles and fears. Even when he knows our every sin and failure, he lovingly forgives us and freely gives us life everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Our God is an awesome God. May He be with you in all that you do, remove your unhealthy fears, and allow and empower you to be of help to Him and to his kingdom!
Infinite God, thank you for giving me the strength and help that I need every day. I ask you to remove from me these fears.... and help me to grow in my faith and service to you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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"No Longer Slaves"
by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser
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Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
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