“The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”—Matthew 10:30-31
Who doesn’t struggle with fear? I do at times. And you know what scares me? When I read the Bible and the Word tells me not to be afraid, that word is often followed by something really scary!
But if you are caught in the grip of a terrible fear over difficult circumstances, or if you live with a nagging fear of things just not being right and that something scary is lurking around the corner, I have a word from the Lord for you.
In light of everything happening around us locally, globally, geopolitically, environmentally, and emotionally, not to mention personal circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us, the word from the Lord is DO NOT BE AFRAID.
Over and over, He tells us throughout His Word not to be afraid. The Bible contains 365 verses that whisper, shout, admonish, exhort, comfort, and encourage us: Do not be afraid. Fear not. God has not given us the spirit fear. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Be anxious for nothing. There’s one for every day of the year!
But how?
How do we make this real? How do we let go of fear and anxiety?
Stress, work, family, health, and financial issues—even the holidays coming up in a couple of months (and already in the stores)— bring out some of our deepest worries and fears. But we don’t have to be victimized by them!
The Lord reminded me that He is the Lord of everyday life and the Lord of history. He knows what is transpiring in our world and our personal lives.
If we focus too much on the circumstances, on an earthly level with natural eyes, we’ll sink like Peter did when he was walking on water. We need to look up – for there is our redemption! We need to look at our lives through spiritual eyes and ask God for the peace that passes understanding, and the faith to trust Him with all the details, big and scary, or small and nagging.
Look up those 365 verses and meditate on them every day.
Your life is precious to the Lord. He sees the big picture —the prophetic story of the entire universe unfolding rapidly all around us. But He also sees and numbers the very hairs on your head (Matthew 10:30).
If I can encourage you in one thing today, it is that our heavenly Father loves you and desires above all that you live free of fear, so that you can fully know and experience His love.
