Neither Do I Condemn

Fear tries to take over my life all the time. I can be a very timid person, afraid to do anything that makes me nervous. I know my life could be fuller if I let go of some of my fears, but it’s just so hard. I’m so thankful I have God to turn to when I’m afraid.

My faith in Christ holds me together when life fills me with worry. I cling to God when life has me scared. Without Him, I don’t know where I would be because I know the fear would have overtaken me by now. I have to call on Him all the time, and I feel Him with me when I do. You can do the same (Hebrews 4:14-16).

You have a God who is right there with you in every scary situation. A God who has spoken through the Bible over and over again about these truths: (1) He is there with you and (2) He loves you. A God who urges us over and over again to not be afraid but to trust in Him, resting in the peace we have in Christ—in the truth of Jesus instead of the lies of fear (John 8:31-47; Philippians 4:4-7)

No matter how scary life gets, we can rest in Jesus. He beat fear on the cross (1 John 4:7-18). He is with us in all our struggles, in all our fears, in all the hard stuff we face (Matthew 28:20). We do not have to be afraid, and when we are afraid, we can go to Jesus, resting in the peace we have in Him—a peace purchased for us on the cross (John 14:27; Romans 5:1). • Emily Acker

• What are you afraid of?

• Have you tried talking to God about your fears?

• Who are trusted Christians you can talk with when you are afraid?

• Worry and clinical anxiety are different issues. Clinical anxiety is a mental health issue. Worry is a nonmedical issue. If you need someone to talk to about anxiety, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 (NKJV)

Read Verses:

John 8:2-11