Daily Gratitude Year 6- Day 135: Today, I am grateful fear does not need to take up residence in our lives. The struggle with fear and anxiety is big and real for many. In fact, everyone faces it at one time or another.
"The presence of fear does not mean you have no faith. Fear visits everyone, but make fear a visitor and not a resident." -Max Lucado
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." -Hebrews 11:1
The presences of fear does not negate our faith. It might challenge it, but it does not mean faith is absent. It means we are struggling with the enemy and fear cause us to choose between fight or flight. Many, many times the scriptures point to "standing firm". We are told to "fear not" many times, as a command to chase the fear away.
"My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him. -Psalm 89:43
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1
For those who keep the covenant... he stands with us. Fear is only an uninvited visitor... not a permanent resident. When hope and faith do battle with fear, who wins? Depends on the day, right? The struggle is real.
"No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us... There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." -1 John 4:12,18
Evidence of a love that drives out fear is a reflection of Christ's love being made perfect in us. The love of a mother or father for their child is a sacrificial love that drives out fear. The love of one soldier for his brother in arms, sometimes means big sacrifices. There is a resolution that is powerfully big when we intentionally choose love over fear.
Fear of someone taking advantage of me... love is better than fear.
Fear of someone getting the better, bigger portion... love is better than fear.
Fear of not getting credit where credit is due... love is better than fear.
Fear of not achieving a goal or a dream.. love is better than fear.
Fear of other people's opinions... love is better than fear.
Fear of having to do something different to get a different outcome... love is better than fear.
Fear of life being unfair... remember Jesus and know that love is better than fear.
Love is stronger than all of our fears and transgressions. His blood has us covered.
The struggle with fear and anxiety is real, but make him an uninvited guest, not a resident.
Perfect love casts out fear. Fear might visit but he can't live here.
Today, I am grateful fear does not need to take up residence in our lives.
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