Here’s to You: Do Not be Afraid

Here’s to you:

Do not be afraid.

Do not be afraid of the struggles that lie ahead.

Do not be afraid of the trials that you may face.

Do not be afraid of the past, present, or future.

Do not be afraid of speaking up.

Do not be afraid of failure.

Do not be afraid of being who God called has called you to be.

I know that I struggle with fear. That fear ends up turning into stress and anxiety. I know that is isn’t helpful to have, but I still have it.

Fear will only stop you from following God’s will. Fear will tear you from your relationship with God. It will cripple you and discourage you. It will bring you down.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

But there is no reason for fear. We have a spirit of love. And love can overcome fear.

Love is stronger than fear.

Trials and struggles will come your way, don’t get me wrong. It’s just going to happen. We’re humans living in a fallen world.

But by living in God’s love, we can conquer these fears. His love will take away all our fears.

Love won’t take away our struggles, but when they come we’ll be able to face them without fear. God’s love will make our struggles easier to bare. Because without fear, who can stop us?

1 John 4:18

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

When I was smaller I only wanted to be saved because I didn’t want to go to Hell. I still don’t want to go to Hell. But since then I have learned the real reason for wanting to be saved: because I love Him.

His love can take away all our fears.

And what do we, as Christians, really have to fear?  God is always with is. God will protect us. He won’t let our struggles become more than we can bare. He let His only son die for us. What wouldn’t He do for us?

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?

God is our salvation. He holds our lives in His hands.

There is only one fear that is allowed and right.

Psalm 33:8

Let the whole world fear the Lord,
and let everyone stand in awe of him.

But this fear isn’t the same as any of our normal fears. This fear is not like being scared. It is righteous fear. This fear is like awe. It is like respect and honor. And that is what God deserves.

But my main point here is that letting go of you fears will give you peace. Is that not what we all want?

John 14:27

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

-G. Paige