When You Feel Afraid, God is Your Strength

Do you ever feel afraid? Perhaps that’s a silly question. We have ALL been afraid at some point in our lives. I’ve spent many nights awake worrying about things I have no control over. I’ve lacked courage when faced with a difficult or intimidating task. I would like to say that every time I’ve ever faced fear, I took it straight to God. Looking back… it would have spared me a lot of sleepless nights filled with anxiety. And while I can’t claim perfection in this area, I can say this: Every single time I have ever taken my fears to God, He has proven Himself to be faithful and true.

We have a promise from God… as well as a command.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. It serves as a reminder that God is on our side. He is our help in times of trouble, and He is our strength in times when we feel weak. But in the midst of this amazing promise, we find a gentle command.

Fear not… be not dismayed…

The Hebrew word for “dismayed” is sha`ah meaning to look in dismay or gaze about in anxiety. (Source: Blue Letter Bible) How often do we look around at our circumstances in worry or dread? We see our physical circumstances and worry as if somehow God can’t or won’t be our strength. But we serve an amazing Father! He longs to be our help, and He wants us to trust Him in all of life’s trials.

God replaces our fears with power, love, and self-control.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

The truth is that fear is a liar…

Fear tells us that God won’t provide. Fear tells us that we aren’t equipped to handle our struggles. And worst of all… fear tells us that there is a reason to be afraid. But the Bible tells us that we have no reason to fear.

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? – Psalm 118:6 (ESV)

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” – 1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV)

There is not one thing in this life to be afraid of when you are a child of God. Even death itself. So when you feel afraid, it may be time to take a step back and ask yourself if you are allowing fear to speak into your life.

I speak from experience when I say that it is entirely too easy to justify your worries and fears. It’s normal to worry about your children right? Wouldn’t I be a bad mother if I didn’t worry?

Our Father knows our needs.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6 to not be worried or fearful about even the basic essentials of life such as food or clothing. “For the Gentiles seek after all these things…” Fear is a basic human emotion. And in the Word of God, we are told to fear God alone. But the fears of this world, the fears that are deemed normal by our culture, are not normal if you’re a child of God. “…your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” We serve an amazing Father who has given us His promise to provide.

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” – Matthew 6:31-32 (ESV)