“Monsters don’t sleep under your bed; they sleep inside your head.” – Unknown
For much of my life, fear has had its way with me. Like a bully on the playground, it has left me feeling small, intimidated and vulnerable. I’ve realized, however, that fear is a liar. So, I’ve decided that I’m no longer interested in buying into its deception.
Fear is not the only option.
We don’t have to look far to find fear. It’s everywhere. It looms behind headlines, takes up space on our Facebook news feed, and occupies conversations around the table. It has us captured, paralyzed by what-ifs and what-nows.
But fear is not the only option.
So do not fear; for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
#1: God is with me.
God promises to never leave me or forsake me. His presence provides protection, security, and comfort. No matter what I walk through or how I feel, I am never alone.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
Whether we realize it or not, the promise of God’s presence is a huge deal. So huge, in fact, that Moses told God that he would rather live in the harsh reality of desert-living with God than enter the Promise Land without Him. He would rather experience God’s presence than receive His blessings. He knew that nothing beats the promise of God’s presence.
#2: God is my God.
When the Creator of the whole world and everything in it says that He is my God, you better believe I’m going to claim Him as my own. God’s promises are corporate, but they are also intimately personal. He is personally watching over me, caring for and keeping me. He is my God.
#3: God will strengthen me.
God never intended for me to live in my own strength. Instead, as I lean on Him, He promises to give me all the strength I need. I can do hard things because God is strong, not because I am.
I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
#4: God will help me.
No matter what the need, God will come to my aid. His resources are unending; His mercies are unceasing. He never grows tired, worn out or beat down by my constant needs. He is my ever-present help.
God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
#5: God will uphold me.
God promises to hold me up, support and sustain me. I can trust that He will never let me fall.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you; I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4
And all of this God does with His “righteous right hand”. The Lord’s right hand is symbolic of His power to protect and deliver. It represents His authority over all. His hand is called righteous because He is faithful to His children. He literally cannot fail us.
….
These are the truths I remind myself when fear begins whispering its dirty little secrets in my ear. As a Christ-follower, they are your promises too. Grab hold of them and keep them close.
- God is with you (by your side).
- God is your God (over your life).
- God will strengthen you (from within you).
- God will help you (from all around you).
- God will uphold you (from underneath you).
Our God is faithful, friends. His promises are true; they are firm ground to stand on. Practice them regularly. Over and over, remind yourself of these fear-crushing truths:
- God, I know you are with me.
- You are my God.
- You will strengthen me.
- You will help me.
- You will uphold me with your righteous right hand.
Therefore, I will not fear.
Amy says
I’ve been fighting fear lately. Thanks for writing this. (popping over from Hope*Writers)
Carrie Rogers says
Hey Amy! Thanks for popping over and commenting. I know this fight well. Grateful for a God who meets us right where we are, even through blog posts 😉❤️