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I know because I struggle with fear.
When we received Mason's diagnosis of Down Syndrome, we were given a long list of potential health problems that he could face. The fear was overwhelming.
It would have been easy for me to look at that list and spend most of my days dwelling on all of the possible things that could go wrong with my son. Some days I did.
I realized, though, that fear was leading me to worry, which was creating in me a lack of trust in God's sovereignty, goodness, and love.
How did I fight it?
"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -Philippians 4:8-
"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -Philippians 4:8-
Think on the truth.
If I want my heart to be driven by truth, I must battle fear in my mind with truth, truth about God.
Truth about God is found in His Word, so if I'm fighting fear with thinking on the truth, then I must speak truth in my mind about God.
Fight the fear of incompetence trusting that God is powerful:
"'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." -2 Corinthians 12:9-
Fight the fear of rejection remembering who I am in Christ:
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." -1 John 3:1-
Fight the fear of harm believing in the presence of God:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you..." -Isaiah 43:2-
In the moment that fear begins to overpower belief in God, choose to think on the truth about God.
What is it you fear? Fight it with the truth.
Today's post put me in mind of one of my favorite new (old) hymns - maybe you already know it? The truth it speaks of has comforted me many times:
ReplyDeleteNow Why This Fear and Unbelief?
Verse 1
Now why this fear and unbelief?
Has not the Father put to grief
His spotless Son for us?
And will the righteous Judge of men
Condemn me for that debt of sin
Now canceled at the cross?
Chorus
Jesus, all my trust is in Your blood
Jesus, You’ve rescued us
Through Your great love
Verse 2
Complete atonement You have made
And by Your death have fully paid
The debt Your people owed
No wrath remains for us to face
We’re sheltered by Your saving grace
And sprinkled with Your blood
Bridge
How sweet the sound of saving grace
How sweet the sound of saving grace
Christ died for me
Verse 3
Be still my soul and know this peace
The merits of your great high priest
Have bought your liberty
Rely then on His precious blood
Don’t fear your banishment from God
Since Jesus sets you free