Paralyzed by Fear
Posted in Daily Focus on Wednesday, October 23, 2013
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
"I'm never going back to the mountains again until we have a better car," I said resolutely to my husband. This trip was the last time I would risk getting stranded because of car problems. Our homeschool field trips to isolated mountain areas in Colorado would just have to wait until we could afford a new vehicle.
Many months went by before the urge to see God's wilderness drove us to try again. With the same car, our family ventured out with a picnic lunch, hoping for a wonderful day of hiking in the woods. As we headed west of Denver, I noticed the engine beginning to sputter. Cars were flying past us as we slowed to almost a crawl on the busy interstate. Both my husband and I wanted to cry as we pulled over again to the side of the road.
Together we said a quick prayer and tried to reassure our four children that all would be well. Opening the hood, my divinely-inspired husband removed the air cleaner from the top of the engine and plugged the hole with a handkerchief to prevent dirt from being sucked into the engine. Restarting the car and pulling back into traffic, we unbelievably regained normal speed. For the remainder of the trip, we had no problems. The easy fix to our car's high-altitude problem mocked me as I thought of all the trips I had forfeited because of fear.
What blessings from God are you missing today because of fear? Are you afraid to fellowship in large crowds, travel to see your family by car, plane, or boat, or enjoy new experiences because of the unknown? God promises in Proverbs 3:25-26, "Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken." God is in control, and you do not need to be afraid. As Christ calmed the storm for the disciples in the boat, He is more than able to protect you from unknown problems. Will you give your fears to Him today and receive His blessings?
Lord, so many times I miss Your best because I am afraid. Please, walk with me through these fears and help me to see You in every situation. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(19 comments)
LYNDA B 10/23/2008 07:47:09
I think this devotion was written just for me, thank you.
APRIL B 10/24/2008 10:43:01
Amen. In my heart I know that God can do the the impossible. But yet I still have fears. It's something that I struggle with on a regular basis. I'm always praying for more trust in God. Just when I think I have fear conquered it rears its ugly head once again, flooding my mind with doubt. Please Father help my unbelief in Jesus Name Amen.
THERESA M 10/23/2009 07:56:35
2 Tim 1/7 was given to me in Jan 2009 by a friend when I started having panic attacks and not wanting to leave my house. This verse has helped out so much that when I start to feel anxious I pray this verse and others and God alone helps me out. PTL I have been able to overcome them in Jesus name. Everytime I have a fear I have to get out and do what I need to do in order to overcome that fear. That includes fearing the dentist!:)! God is good!!
KATHERINE R 10/23/2009 09:59:49
This really spoke to me because latley i am afraid to go any were. And i start getting really nervous when im in a doctors office i dont like to be in places were theres alot of people sometimes i cant explain why do i feel this way! I ask god to help me and to take away all my fears
CHRISTINA W 10/23/2010 06:13:41
Fear isn't something I have struggled with knowingly, but I have found out that I did have fear by some of my actions.
My husband has struggled all his life with the spirit of fear, and it IS A SPIRIT! We have learned through 'Be In Health', a ministry based in Thomaston, Georgia, what fear will do to your health, and how to repent and remove the spirit in Jesus' name. After all, the name of Jesus is above every name, and, as believers on Him and on His name, we may use it liberally against the enemy of our souls. God BLess!
Christina W.
JENNIFER E 10/23/2010 06:19:24
Theresa, PTL!! Katherine and April, if you feel comfortable with your pastor, it would be a really good idea to talk with him/her about your feelings. Feelings of anxiety and depression are serious and God often works through close friends and professionals to help us get through those times. God is sufficient to supply all your needs, but often He uses the words and support of the people He puts in our lives for the purpose of our healing and wholeness. You are not alone in your situation; Just God used Paul to encourage Timothy, He will send His servants to encourage you.
Christen O 10/23/2010 06:35:24
As a family we've been struggling financially for almost 4 years now, and it seems to keep getting worse. Do we pay for food or rent? Bills or diapers? In this our fears have slowly overtaken our family as the years have gone on and adversely effect how my husband and I have dealt with even the smallest situations that have seemed much larger than they actually were because of fear.
Fear leads to unnecessary stress, whether it is financial, emotional or physical fear in all of us. However fear manifests, if we let it consume us and not give it to the Lord and lean on Him to get through, we suffer the consequences in many ways we may not realize.
Part of the fear of our situation convinced me for the longest time that I would never be able to homeschool my children due to finances AND my emotional state due to those fears.
In the last month as I've done research and taken care of the majority of our debts, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yes, we will still struggle, but we'll be clear of debt in the next 2 years. We are currently living on a cash only basis with NO credit cards. Although this is a huge positive, we learned we'd been living beyond our means, so although it will be 2 years to breathe a bit easier, all the sacrifices that we're making now and will be down the road will be blessed.
The Lord spoke quite loudly to us that we should push forward and homeschool to give our babies that He has entrusted to us the best chance of surviving in today and tomorrow's world, hopefully they too will accept Jesus and love Him as we do and become mighty warriors for Him.
We are ready for that challenge and things are now falling into place.
Sorry this is so long, but I'm sure there are many who might be in a similar situation as we are, and I hope that what I've said about our experience in handing our fear over to the Lord will help someone else who needs to hear it and be reminded.
I pray for our family and yours and anyone else out there dealing with similar or vastly different fears. The Lord can heal all of our fears if we give them to Him.
Blessings to you all!
WENDY M 10/23/2010 06:45:28
I'd like to also add to yesterday's comments concerning the devotionals. I love that I can read others' reactions and suggestions to the devotionals, but I, too, miss the old setup of having it all right there w/out having to click to another page for the rest of it. I also miss the beautiful scenes at the top of each devotional. But, I love reading them each day! Thank you very much for them!
LISA T 10/23/2010 07:10:06
Your devotions are such blessings to me! Thank You!!
DAVID K 10/24/2010 22:44:43
I was shocked to read the title of the daily focus. I have been specifically praying for release from my fears and it was like a breath of fresh air to read the focus. Thank you!
OLIVIA S 10/24/2010 23:27:49
I just read this, and it really helped me. I so scared of leaving my house, I'm scared because I feel like I'm leaving something important and if I leave I won't have it when I need it most. Say a pair of clothes, and I need it, in case I stain it etc. I know this sounds funny, but really this is how I feel. When I go places its like I need a luggage instead, I just wish I could leave without anything, one day I hope that is possible.
Another is exercising in my neighborhood, I know everyone and I feel they might say something about me. I dislike being in crowded areas, parties, Independence celebrations, and hanging out with a large group of people, unless they're Christians, its okay with me, and talking to people I usually don't talk to on a regular daily basis, ex, a person I always see but don't ever talk too.
but back to the subject I really appreciate this devotion, I seriously choose to change for my Lord and Savior. Why? because in His Word, he promises to take care of me and to trust in Him that everything's going to be okay! =)
SABRINA E 10/25/2010 05:24:07
Wow! This devotion and all the comments have truly been eye opening. I want to share my "story" and I'll try to brief. I used to homeschool but battling with my teenage daughter became too much for me without my husband's support. I've prayed without ceasing for her protection and good godly friends in the public school. She was a freshman last year and pulled so far from me and my guidance that I didn't pray for her like I should have. We've been foster parents for many years ( which she hated), and last year we got suckered into taking in a teenage boy out of drug rehab because we had his little sister. We asked my daughter about this before accepting him and she thought it would be kind of cool to finally have someone her age ( instead of annoyingly younger, I guess). She was acquainted with this boy from riding the same bus so being the compassionate christian mom I am thought the best of the situation. Because of this boy's history he was under my (sometimes my husband's) constant supervision. I was even trying to homeschool him because public school couldn't keep him from getting drugs .... yes, worse than my worst fears became reality... this boy-young man- raped my daughter in my own home while I asleep. My daughter was scared silent and could not even cry out to me or her father. Prosecutors will not pursue rape charges because he can say he thought she consented .... nearly 10 months later now I am a grandma... we are healing somewhat, but I didn't realize the grip fear still had until reading all this. ... I was healed of polymyalgia rheumatica and quit taking all meds in April, a week or so before my daughter finally told me what happened. Being homebound I read and study and pray and listen to Word messages all the time, but in the last couple weeks, my body has become more and more riddled with pain and weakness. I see now, yes, I SEE now that even though I am able to speak the Word more readily to my family I am in essence fueling fear and unbelief by constantly studying and praying. Thank you all. I will get back to putting my FAITH into ACTION resisting the unbelief that's crept into my heart through this situation. God bless you all and I pray somehow my story helps you and your teenager children.
RACHEL M 10/25/2010 11:12:55
I needed to hear this devotion today. I have been deceived by many in recent years, causing much heartbreak and turmoil. I have been experiencing fear of this happening again soon as we plan to move. We currenlty rent and have heard from many in the community negative things about company we rent from, we have seen a peek of the negative already and i have been allowing my fear to steal my peace, my mind and my concentration at home, homeschool and at my job. I prayed this prayer when I read it because these words were not coming to my mind while it has been blocked by the enemy. So thank you and Thank the Lord for your message today, that you gave to me the words and prayer I need to be praying to get out of this mess.
Amen.
DORIS M 10/25/2010 12:49:51
If we simply step out, God will guide us and give us the solutions we need as problems arise. The Psalmist says it like this, \"He anoints my head with oil, my cup runneth over!\" It\'s great to know that God gives us the exact strategies we need to continue in what He has designed us to do!
MARISSA L 10/26/2011 09:02:03
You have no idea how much the Lord ministered to me today through you. Thank you for your willingness to write this.
BECKY C 10/26/2011 09:02:03
Sabrina E, I too invited a young man into my house to have him do the same to my daughter. I like you have a grandson from this encounter. He is a beautiful 4 year old red head. A wonderful christian young man came around after the little guy was born and wanted to marry my daughter and adopt my grandson. They have been together four years and have 2 more babies. God will take and lift you up. When I was dealing with this situation, I always remembered the two things that my grandmother told me and it always got me through. "A baby is God's way of saying the world should go on!!! and God only give you what you can handle!!" This comments from her always pull me through the darkest times. Hope this helps letting you know there are others like you out here in the situation. God Bless!
LAURA G 10/26/2011 09:02:03
I thought I was the only one who felt this way. We go to a very small church (mainly elderly) with very few children. I have been struggling with the thought of finding a different church on Sundays (we go to our other church on Saturdays). I know the LORD wants us to do this and I have been gripped with fear. I have used many excuses to not do this-it's so far,it's such a big church,with my hearing loss it will be hard to understand people. You name it, I've thought it . I need to remember that I'm not the only one and that G*D has His hand on me (all of us). Thank you Sabrina B. for the story- it took guts to share. I'll pray for you always. God bless you all.
KATHY S 10/23/2012 06:35:15
I try very hard to protect my child. I never leave him alone in our apartment, I keep a close eye in stores, I have been through what some of your teenage daughters have been through, and I will not let Satan pull the wool over my eyes, not even for a second where my child is concerned.
They steal children and horrible things happen every single day.
I love God, I trust him, but I have \"been there and done that\" too many times. My child is my most precious gift from God, I will do my best to keep him safe as long as I can breathe.
I have had panic attacks for 20 years, aside from God\'s divine intervention, they don\'t just go away. I have had 3 Christian psychiatrists during this time frame, and their counsel has been extremley helpful.
I am sorry Sabrina and Becky for the horrifying experiences that your daughters went through.
I give you credit for sharing, I kept silent for years about my horror. I was in my 10th year of therapy before I could even share what had happened, and that was almost 20 years after it occurred.
I love God, I trust God, but we do live in an imperfect world here. In Heaven one day we won\'t have to worry about such horrors, in the mean time, be cautious and wise.
JENNIFER MILLS 10/23/2013 13:46:33
I just wanted to help some of you out there. I struggled (past tense) with fear for years. I want to you all to know that fear is not from God, and if you have ANY fear you must flush it out with the word of God. I have 3 children, my oldest child got whopping cough when she was 3 and her baby brother was 3 weeks old. Needless to say it was the hardest thing I have ever gone through. The Lord super naturally protected my newborn so from it, but I then was living in fear about all sickness's. It was a daily sometimes hourly battle to keep my mind on God, His love and understand that when fear is present that Satan can move in your life. So long story short, my oldest is now 9 and I had a 3rd child, and I wish I could say that I never have thoughts of fear, but I sometimes do. But I now know exactly where they come from and how to deal with it, it no longer can get a root in me, The love of God is rooted and grounded, so when a fear thought comes, I don't entertain it or believe it. But I know that I have to be on guard about it. Here are 2 books that have changed my life and kept me free from Fear. "Protecting your family in dangerous times", by Kellie Copeland. And "The Blood and the Glory", by Billye Brim If you struggle with fear GET THESE BOOKS..... I cannot stress enough how much these books have helped me. Do not be tormented by fear anymore, Jesus did everything for you, the blood was enough, rest in that. Also thank you so much for this daily devotional I look forward to it every morning.