Be Not Afraid
One of the greatest enemies to living a more fulfilling life is fear, especially when we do not allow these fears to enter into our consciousness. Until we bring these fears into the light of our consciousness, we cannot acknowledge them, confront them, let alone seek ways to deal with them. Instead, we repress them, project them onto others, and unconsciously allow them to control our lives.
What are some of the fears that unconsciously control your life? What prevents you from allowing these fears to enter into the light of your consciousness?
Scripture provides us with hope, and the promise of the indwelling and empowering Spirit, to help us raise our fears to consciousness, to confront them, and to courageously respond to them:
Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you. (Deut 31:6).
I sought the LORD, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4-5)
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 comfort me (Psalm 23:4)
When I am afraid, in you [God] I place my trust. I praise the word of God; I trust in God, I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:4-6).
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of who should I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).
For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you (Isaiah 41:13).
Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (Jn 14:27).
Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
You [LORD] drew near on the day I called you; you said, "Do not fear!” (Lamentations 3:57).
Jesus said, Therefore, do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:26-31).
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is the Messiah and the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardness but rather of power and love and self-control (2 Tim 1:7).
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love (1 John 4:18).
Thus we may say with confidence: ‘The Lord is my helper, [and] I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).
Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (John 14:27)
I sought the LORD, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4-5)
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 comfort me (Psalm 23:4)
When I am afraid, in you [God] I place my trust. I praise the word of God; I trust in God, I do not fear. What can mere flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:4-6).
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of who should I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).
For I am the LORD, your God, who grasp your right hand; it is I who say to you, Do not fear, I will help you (Isaiah 41:13).
Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (Jn 14:27).
Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10).
You [LORD] drew near on the day I called you; you said, "Do not fear!” (Lamentations 3:57).
Jesus said, Therefore, do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:26-31).
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is the Messiah and the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardness but rather of power and love and self-control (2 Tim 1:7).
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love (1 John 4:18).
Thus we may say with confidence: ‘The Lord is my helper, [and] I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).
Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid (John 14:27)