Fear, You Will Not Overtake Me
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| "Fear though not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed: for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)
Fear is probably our greatest tormentor in
life. It seems that the more years that go by the more people struggle to stay
sane . Almost everyone I have talked to is dealing with some form of anxiety
and it is heart breaking. I have already opened up about my own struggle
earlier this year suffering with both anxiety and depression in a previous post
called, "I Was Brought Low and He Helped Me." I know what it is like to go through the
motions, the physical decline of the body, and even the feeling of losing my
mind. I was suffering. Every single day my mind was tormented with thoughts of
never feeling normal again. At one point I didn't even remember what normal felt
like. I felt stuck. I was surrounded by darkness. All I did was sleep because
that was my only escape. I did not want to face anything. I was just done with
life and people. I was scared so much I thought I was dying. That is how I felt
anyway. So I know and understand the pain that many go through regarding fear.
You are not alone. You will never be alone. Anxiety affects people in different
ways, for me I was shaky, nauseated, couldn't catch my breath, and vomited
often. Others that I know have suffered with horrible chest pains to the point
they thought they were having a heart attack. I know of some who were so tense
that they literally would stop breathing and they didn't realize it. Some
people I know have lost their hair, broke out in sores all over their body, and
felt like they were going insane. Anxiety/Fear is an ugly demon that loves to
torment you and me. All of this seems dark and gloomy, but we like to focus on
the positive here so that is exactly what we will do. Despite the terrible pain
of dealing with heart gripping fear there is hope. First of all I would like to
remind you that I am an example of there being hope, and I am sure there are
many more testimonies that will say the same thing; our God is a healer! Do we
honestly think that our lives were meant to be lived in misery? I don't think
so. Yes, we cannot deny that life is hard but life is a gift. It's ok to not be
ok sometimes. God knows exactly what we are facing. If you want proof here it
is, Hebrews 4:15 "For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we
are, yet without sin." There you go. Jesus has suffered every way that we
do. He has walked this earth as we do every day. He has suffered sickness,
pain, grief, death, rejection, etc. You name it, He went through it way before
you and I did. He knows exactly the emotions and the suffering that come with
fear; because He has already walked this path that we trod now. When we cry
over a loved one that has passed, Jesus has already cried those very tears
before. He knows. When we are in bed feeling sick, Jesus has already been there
and done that. He knows! When we feel like we were given too much to handle,
Jesus felt the same in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, "if it be
possible let this cup pass from me" (Luke 22:42). Yet He was without sin.
He is the Word and we are to use the Word because it is our sword. The devil
cannot stand up against the Word of God. No sir.
We should read the next verse in Hebrews 4
verse 16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Since Jesus knows exactly what we go through
then when we ask for Him to deliver or heal us, He will have mercy. He will
"help in time of need." We should go to prayer with confidence that
our God hears. He knows the pain but more than that He knows how to take it all
away and make it a faint memory. That is the God we serve. Who ever said that
anxiety and depression had to be the end result? I don't think so. Why? Because
God has "not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and
of a sound mind" ( 2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is NOT of God! It's a spirit of
torment, but praise God "I sought the LORD and He heard me, and delivered
me from ALL of my fears" (Psalm 34:4). If God can do that for David and
for me, then He certainly can do that for you. Only believe His Word. Why do I
keep putting so much emphasis on the Bible? Because in Hebrews 4:12 it says,
"For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper that any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and
of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart." He just spoke the words "let there be…" to create the
earth, the animals, and man. Think about the affect one simple word would have
on all of your problems. Completely gone! Let me share with you one of my
favorite verses;
Isaiah 43:1-2, " …Fear not: for I have
redeemed thee, I have called the by thy name: thou art mine. When thou passest
through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
You are known and cherished. With anything
that you face in your life remind yourself of the verse above. God said no
matter what it is it will NOT overtake you. He will lift you above the storm.
Isaiah 41: 13 says, "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand,
saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." In the first post I ever
made (I Was Brought Low) my whole point was that most people believe that going
through dark times are bad, when in reality they serve a greater purpose. We
don't look at that, we focus on the misery. But all things work together for
our good. The fears we face work toward shaping our character. Here is an
example of what I mean, let's say that some one came up to you and said that
they were suffering with a headache. However, you have never had a headache.
You know about the condition but you have never felt it. So this person is
complaining about being in a lot of pain and how they just want to go home a
lay down. Maybe they can't finish the work day because it gradually gets worse.
How are you going to feel? You would not see the big deal in a little headache
and you would think this person was just "milking" it. You would
think they couldn't handle anything. You would not have any compassion to pray
for them or understand at all what they are going through. Until it's you who
is suffering with headaches. When you are the one going through it, it is a
different story. Because you have been through that kind of pain then you can
help others who go through it to by praying for them, encouraging them,
understanding that they need rest. Since you have walked that road before it
shapes a character in you that others would not have because you know how it
feels. You could help that person. So the difficult times that we have to go
through will all be worth it in the end. I'm thankful for my trials. I was not
grateful when I went through it but looking back I see the purpose. I see how
it has benefited me and how my relationship with God has grown. It reminds me
of a dark, cloudy day. When I wake up in the morning I walk to the window to
look outside. When all I see is clouds I am sad. I want to see gorgeous blue
skies and sunshine all day long. It lifts me up and energizes me. I'm ready to
face the day when I see that beautiful sunshine. When I see the gloom that is
all I see. I forget that it is still a beautiful day. How? Because the sunshine
and blue sky that I love so dear is right there behind those clouds. It's not
gone it's just hidden from my view momentarily. Maybe I'll see the little
glimmer of light tomorrow. Maybe I won't see it until next week I don't know,
but I do know that I'll see it again. It's the same with the tormenting fear we
face. It seems like all hope is gone but it's not it is just hidden from your
view.
There is no fear in God. He is our
Protector, Counselor, Comfort, Peace, Savior, Deliverer, and so much more. I
encourage you to read all of Psalm 118. David had a lot to be afraid of but he
chose to put His confidence in the LORD rather than his feelings or man. He
testifies that God came through for him. He did not dwell in his worries, he
gave it to God and he changed his focus to "I won't die but I will
live" (v. 17). This is the day the LORD has made so I will rejoice and be
glad in it (v.23). My dear brother and sister, this is not the end. Do not let
the devil lie to you and make you believe that this is your life now, get used
to it. No! It is just a season, a stage of your life as you are traveling to
something greater and more beautiful. Do not stop here. Keep going. I know you
feel like you have no strength to continue on, but God will provide. "When
I am weak than am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). It's through our
weakness that we are made strong because it's no longer our strong but God's.
He gives us His strength. You do not need to fight this battle. God will carry
you through all you have to do is trust Him. It just takes one prayer and
little faith. You are an overcomer, you were born for this! God will not allow
you to fall apart even though it feels like you have gotten to that point. You
haven't because God won't allow you to be overtaken by this. Fear is a liar.
It's just a chapter in your life that will one day end. That day may be sooner
than you think. Speak the Word in faith and watch God move in you. This will be
a testimony for others to be encouraged by, but also it’s a stepping stone for
you to move up a little higher. I cannot emphasize that enough. I can testify
that it is true because that's where I am now. I'm moving up higher and higher
because God brought me through the darkest time in my life, not only that but
He healed me from everything. I am an example that God is faithful. I am no
different than you. There is nothing that I did to deserve it but I trusted in
God and He answered me. I do not care what you have done in your life. It
doesn't change who God is. Listen to the Word and believe it. Move out the
doubts. You got this my friend! You are more than an conqueror because of what
God has already done (Romans 8:37). He defeated everything when He sacrificed
His very life for you. You have victory already through Christ! AMEN! It's so
good to serve a loving and caring God as the LORD Jesus Christ. Be encouraged
today for you have won. If you have not already go read my post "I Was
Brought Low and He Helped Me" (https://jsfocusonthepositive.blogspot.com/2019/08/i-was-brought-low-and-he-helped-me.html)
for more encouragement. It is my testimony of what the LORD brought me through.
I'm still here and alive to the devil's disappointment. HA! Thank you Jesus!
Focus on the positive rather than your pain because faith is positive therefore
eternal. Pain is only temporary.
Whenever you are having a rough day remind yourself of these scriptures
and pray. It seems that in the evening time is when fear is worse. But remember
that the God of the day is still God in the night. The darkness does not
intimidate Him for He is the Light. Just take it one day at a time, let God
take care of the rest. I have included a few upbeat songs below for you to
listen to when those days come around. God Bless You.
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