Have you ever had those moments when you are like, “OKAY GOD, I HEAR YOU”! And in that same moment, you want to throw up an “I’m Busy” sign because you are thinking “I know this is an issue but can’t we just put aside and deal with it later?”
That happened to me when I was listening to this amazing podcast episode by “Journey Women” about Fear. It was like God was yelling out to me because it is something that I have been dealing with lately. While listening to this podcast, I started weeping because I was so filled by the Holy Spirit’s loving conviction. Honestly, it makes me sad that I say I trust God but am so slow to believe in His all-encompassing power and goodness. However, it did allow me to hope that one day, with lots of heart work, I can let go of that fear because being in Christ frees us from letting fear and uncertainty control us.
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Before meeting my God-centered husband, I had been in a few toxic, non-christian dating relationships. Most of which were filled with condemnation, unfaithfulness, and heartbreak. I let these people control my identity because I relied on their tainted view of love and longed for their approval. One would think that all these years later, I would be past those interactions but instead, they have been the fuel my behind misplaced fear.
The “Journey Women” podcast reminded me that fear is an innate emotion because God created us to fear Him. However, we so often misplace a fear of God for other corrupted fears: fear of not being in control, of not knowing the future, of not being liked, not being able to determine the actions of another person, and the list goes on. And with that misplaced fear, we seek a savior in the things of this world or in our own hearts. We are not looking to Jesus who is the only one who can calm our fearful hearts.
Fight Fear With Faith
“Fear is an emotional response to circumstances that we cannot control and that we perceive will do us harm. That emotional response always sends us looking for a Savior, something that we believe is bigger or stronger or otherwise able to subdue or get rid of whatever it is that is causing us to fear.” -Matt Lantz.
As I write this, I want to let you know that my husband is faithful and has done nothing to lead me to this fear. He has been so loving through this time, leading me back to where my identity should be rooted, in Christ. My husband demonstrates the patience and love that God has for us when we fight against Him.
However, one of my biggest fears stemming from my past is not knowing the future. Will my husband get bored with me? Will he leave me for someone else? Or will his love even last because in this day and age “love” is portrayed as instantly gratifying and temporary? I mean there have to be women out there that have more to offer than I do and are a hell of a lot easier to love than me.
Living in this fear is exhausting (you don’t want to be in my brain!) and it doesn’t do anything to benefit our relationship. I literally wear myself out living in this dark place. And my fear ends up treating my husband horribly and pushing him away. In my own brain, I think that if I push him away it will be justified if he leaves me one day. Sadly, I find comfort in that fear. It’s in my control whether or not he stays, right?
Bible Verses Overcoming Fear
Only God is in control of every situation. Like I said before, God made us fear Him. But that isn’t the same as the fear we live in as broken people, it is fear in being in awe of His glory and power and knowing that He is good and just. He calls us to overcome fear with faith.
Isaiah 35:4: “Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; He will save you.”
John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
Deuteronomy 31:8: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Isaiah 43:1: “But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 34:4: “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”
Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.”
I know that I can find peace in the fact that God is a just judge and he will bring the final judgment. He is also good and faithful and can bring light out of the darkness if my fears were to ever be realized. Therefore, it is not my responsibility to hold onto the fear of the unknown or try to control the situation.
As we grow closer to God, fear has less control over our lives. God is love. He will never turn on you. He will never let you down. He is yours forever and always. He is MY ONE COMFORT.
With all posts, I like to finish with a challenge. I challenge myself and you to trust God in his willingness to completely deliver us from fear and anxiety.
**Verses used in this post were taken from the English Standard Version.
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