Fear, that old feeling of dread and anxiousness that often fills the voids of our minds and weaves its way into our hearts like a poisonous vine. The deep emotion that elicits such a reaction from us that we tend to run and hide, hoping to protect ourselves from the perceived danger. The dangers of judgement, rejection, hurt, and the unknown. So often fear is a paralyzing thing, freezing us into a perpetual cycle of choosing what is comfortable over obedience and growth with God.

Growth is hard and requires us to let go of fear and trust God. Fear can keep us from sharing testimonies, giving comfort, helping others and even serving our churches and communities. Fear can keep you from the very things God has promised you and has in store for you. I too fight with feelings of fear and yet I am reminded time and time again that we are not to fear.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
But we still find ourselves fearing the unknown, the uncertainty of life.

The biggest issue is that we fear everything but God. We spend all our time trying to avoid unpleasant situations and people. We live our lives afraid of so much, but we do not fear God. We should learn to put our trust in God and fear him over anything else.
Psalms 56:3-4 Whenever I am afraid I will trust you. In God I will praise His word, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
If we are to fear, we should fear God. All other fear is pointless and does nothing to help us. We should fear the Lord and obey Him, and He will bless us.
Psalms 128:1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.

Do not let fear hold you back from doing what the Lord has told you to do. Do not let fear steal your joy and the promises of the Lord. Do not let fear keep you from sharing the love and Glory of our Heavenly Father!

I pray each of you find fear in God and learn to let him lead your lives. I pray each person reading this finds joy and trust in the Lord all of their days. May you always be reminded that the Lord fights for you and that in moments when you are unsure that you remember all things are for the glory of God. May you seize the blessings God has in store for you by being obedient. I pray your lives are so full of Jesus you learn to love God with all your hearts and trust in Him above all else. May you all be blessed and fear not the world.