This has become one of my favorite pictures. I took it last winter, and though it was cold (like freeze-your-face-off cold), the birds seemed to be in the air just to enjoy the sunset, flying back and forth in its light like the temperature didn’t matter. It made me think of what life would be like without fear. Not living without challenges, trials, and difficult circumstances, but living without dread of them. Most of us are experts at imagining the worst possible outcome of every situation. Your car makes a little noise, and you start thinking about all the things that could be wrong, until it is costing so much in your mind that your great-grandchildren are living in starvation trying to pay off the debt.
It’s time to think differently. It’s time to overwhelm fear with God’s reality, instead of letting fear overwhelm yours. Rather than allowing fear to show you what could go wrong, let Jesus show you what He sees is possible. Spend a few minutes with Him imagining what fear is actually afraid of: Love. Truth. Joy. Peace. Hope. Faith. Grace. Forgiveness. Let Him wash those over your heart and mind. Let Him show you how to walk in them, to relate to the world through them, to see yourself through them. You are not what fear has said you are. You are who God sees when He looks at you.
“Be renewed in the spirit of your thoughts and emotions. Put on your new nature, created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. “(Eph. 4.23-24)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
“God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self- discipline.” (2 Tim. 1.7)
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31.6)
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.'” (Isaiah 41:13)
“There is no fear in love. Indeed, love that is whole and complete displaces fear.” (1 John 4.18)
“Those who hope and trust in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
(Isaiah 40.31)
Equip Your Spirit 