Fear Not
31 May 2009 6 Comments
in Devotionals2 Tags: back pain, Bronlynn Spindler, daily chronic pain illness devotionals, daily meditations, depression, fear, fibromyalgia, headaches, hopekeepers, invisible illness, rest ministries, trials and chronically ill, trust, worry
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Timothy 1:7 KJV).
I have struggled with fear for most of my life. I have been fearful about finances, my children’s lives, and the health of loved ones to name a few. Now I fear my future – how severe and debilitating my health problems will become and how I will keep up with the daily tasks of life. I have had to face this weakness for what it is – a real sin in my life and a way the enemy has of attacking me and my trust and faith in God.
God’s word says he has given me power, love, and a sound mind. I have the same power that raised Christ from the dead – resurrection power – flowing through me at every moment, capable of helping me face any circumstances.
The love I possess encompasses God’s love for me as well as my love for him. Scripture says if God loved me so much that he sent his Son, he will surely give me everything else I need (Romans 8:32). His Word also says that if I love God, I will obey his commandments (I John 5:3), which include totally trusting him and his decisions regarding my life.
The last part of this verse is most significant to me. I particularly like this translation of “a sound mind”. When I am in the throes of panic, fear, and worry, my mind is not sound. I am believing every lie Satan throws at me. I am thinking about vain imaginings – things that may or may not happen. I am taking on the problems of others and making them my own when they may not be what God has intended for my life.
God has specific plans for each of us. He knows exactly what is best and will bring those things to pass in his own way and time. To doubt that is to deny his sovereignty and his love. When fears assail us, we can claim these mighty gifts of love, power, and a sound mind as our own. We are new creatures in Christ, and we can have a new way of thinking as well.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remember you have given me the ability to demolish the stronghold of fear in my life. Give me that victory today and every day, as I take every thought captive to make it obedient to you (II Corinthians 10:5). Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bronlynn Spindler is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and lives in Fredericksburg, VA. She struggles with chronic back pain, depression, headaches, and fibromyalgia. She works part-time for a pediatric office and participates on her church worship team only by the grace of God.
May 31, 2009 @ 23:10:43
Bronlynn,
I struggle with fear, too, so the scriptures you share are important ones to me. I need many reminders that God’s power is far greater than anything else this world can throw at us. And His love matches his power. What a blessing to be His children and overcomers together.
Blessings,
Lisa
Jun 01, 2009 @ 02:31:43
dear bronlynn,
i am writing about your devotional of 5/31, titled ‘fear not’. i wanted to thank you for it, as it really blessed me and exactly when i needed to read it most. i became agoraphobic in 1977 and ill with fibro,cfs,ibs,etc,etc in1995 and dx’d with major depression somewhere in there. depression’s best friend, besides satan, is fear. when my physical body decides to act up, my mind joins in with depression. today is day one of starting to move about a bit, and there was your beautiful devotional waiting for me. i’m thanking God for you today and will be keeping your devotional to help me in the future. God bless you dear, kathy, texarkana texas
Jun 12, 2009 @ 05:12:23
Kathy,
I have been out of town so am just now seeing the comments from my writing. I am very glad if my writing spoke to you that day. I pray we will both be able to continue persevering the battle against fear.
Blessings,
Bronlynn
Jun 01, 2009 @ 04:47:32
These are scary times, but fear itself is a blessing – a defense mechanism, in-built by the Creator to alert against danger. I do not think it is a sin to be afraid.
Sin enters the fear scenario only when our scaredness blocks our faith that the spirit of God has the power to protect us in all circumstances. Fear is sinful, in other words, where a true child of God wants for faith in the love of his Maker.
My home is Zimbabwe in Africa. In His wisdom God planted me here fifty years ago. My country is afflicted by severe economic and social problems in addition to the general world recession.
I am afflicted with cerebral palsy which, inter alia, confines me to a wheelchair. I am scared by what the future may hold for me and my “family” of helpers with which I have been blessed but I have no real fear because I am confident that whatever happens God will be with me, as he ever has been, to direct and guide me through His plan for my life.
Jun 01, 2009 @ 12:11:22
Hi Bronlynn,
Yes, I agree with you and Lisa for I know that fear can grab at me too. Our minds are the battlefield and when our bodies are also in battle in terms of how we feel, it gets overwhelming.
Our means of help it to turn to God and His Word. You give us all good reminders today. Thanks so much.
L.
Jun 07, 2009 @ 08:42:06
God is helping me to overcome panic disorder and am just about delivered from it