This is the third writing about giving up things for Lent. Today's writing is about "GIVING UP FEAR." Read below about how fear affects our lives, and how sometimes fear can even be a good thing. May your week be filled with trust and courage!
Blessings,
Jan
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Today's Devotional:
"GIVING UP FEAR"
by
Jan Andersen
Fear has so many different levels of meaning. We can fear something we’ve experienced before, or something we expect but dread it might happen or for sure will happen, or even something we imagine but probably will never happen. Sometimes it is just fearing what others might think of us, of what we did or said, or judgment on our family that we believe reflects upon us. The fear can range from a mild trepidation with a hesitancy to act, to a severe terror that freezes us in our tracks.
Fear usually involves some type of unknown. If we’ve experienced something before that frightened us, fearing it happening again is just anticipating something we don’t really know for sure how it will unfold. Even if it does happen again, it may not be in the same way that causes the same reaction in us. Each time we experience something, we approach it with a different amount of experience and knowledge, and we can even choose to change our response to some degree in most cases. Sometimes the unknown that we fear is simply change itself, even when there is a promise of something better. Not knowing for sure what the change will bring makes it frightening to the point of inaction.
Fear often holds us back. It may keep us from making decisions, from moving forward, or from experiencing other emotions. Therefore, it can stunt our growth, limit the building of our character, and keep us from helping others going through similar situations.
However, sometimes fear can be helpful. Danger that signals alarm can protect us from injury if responded to in the right way. We can step out of the way of harm when fear makes us aware of a threat. If we can work through fears and not let them stop us in our tracks, we can come out on the other side stronger because of the experience. Even with severe terror and PTSD, there are tools that can help us work through these issues. We even may need to enlist the help of a counselor, as God has also given them to us as a tool. In order to deal with fear effectively, we need to place our trust in God. He has told us He is always with us, guiding and protecting us. We don’t need to get stuck in the fear or try to just avoid it, but we can walk through it with God by our side.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.
Let’s “give up” fear for Lent… and beyond. Sometimes we need to face our fear and tell it to leave! Tell it how strong our God is so that it will flee, and ask God to fill our hearts with trust and courage. When we give up fear, we can move forward to do what is healthy and leave the results to God. Then we can experience the only healthy fear to maintain, and that is the profound awe-struck reverence for God, the “fear of the Lord.” That fear we can keep!
Dear Lord, our protector and guide, be with us as we walk through this world, through both the good and the bad, both the joyous occasions and the ones fraught with fear. Help us to trust in you and have courage, because you are the great Shepherd who guards His sheep. Walk us through the difficult times and bring us out stronger on the other side. May it be a good witness of your mercy and strength, and may we use our experiences to help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Song:
THE BREAKUP SONG
(FEAR, YOU DON'T OWN ME!)
Francesca Batistelli
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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.
Blog Writers:
Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward, Karen Bennett,
Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and Corinne Mustafa
Elizabeth McElderry, Betty Espindola, Lynda Kinnard
Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez
Occasional Contributors:
Kathy Bireley, Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,
Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,
Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp.
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