Topic: What We Fear Matters – Daily Devotional by Proverbs 31 Ministries 16 March 2020
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“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Our fears matter.
Years ago, I had a revelation about this that touched me in a very personal way. God showed me that what I feared the most revealed where I trusted God the least. After the birth of our third daughter, my wife, Amy, started having physical challenges. At first, we thought it was just fatigue, but when half her body went numb, we feared it was something much worse.
Doctors couldn’t provide answers. As her symptoms worsened, my trust in God started to weaken.
At night, my thoughts snowballed out of control. What if Amy is dangerously sick? What if I lose her? I won’t be able to raise our kids without her. I wouldn’t want to go on.
Then it hit me. The things that kept me awake were the things that I wasn’t trusting God to handle. I was holding onto them, trying to find a way to gain control over them, to solve all my problems. Thankfully, by the grace of God, Amy gradually improved back to full strength, but her challenges exposed one of my worst weaknesses. Fear had consumed me.
Our fears matter. Because ultimately, our fears show how we’re relying on our own efforts and not trusting in our Savior. The truth is we — you and I and everyone — are always inadequate. We’re never enough. We’re always weak. But here’s the incredible thing: When we’re weak, God’s power is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Your greatest fear may point you to your best chance at making a difference in the world. You need God for every moment of every day. Everything you do of value is born out of His heart, His power, His grace.
To please God, to serve Him, to honor Him, to live for Him, you cannot be driven by fear. You must be led by faith. I’ve said many times the pathway to your greatest potential is often straight through your greatest fear. Faith will propel you forward. In fact, what God wants for you might be on the other side of what you fear the most. The Apostle Paul encouraged his protégé Timothy to cling to faith by reminding him, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
If you’re afraid of failing, it could be that your spiritual enemy is trying to talk you out of doing what God has created you to do. So pray and step into your fear. Let God propel you forward by faith. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God. Remind yourself that you love pleasing God more than you fear failing.
As you pray and God reveals what is keeping you from fully following Him, don’t miss out on experiencing His love. Soak in His extravagant grace. Enjoy the unconditional goodness of God poured out for you in the life of Christ. Remember, “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18b, NIV).
As God reveals your fears, He will also build your faith. You need Him. You need His presence. You need His power. You need His Spirit guiding you. You need His Word strengthening you. Faith doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Faith means you don’t let fear stop you.
Dear Lord, help me to see my fears. Help me see the ways I’m relying on my own efforts — instead of trusting You. Build my faith, and help me to rely on Your presence and support no matter what I face. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY
Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (NIV)
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV)