“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
– Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Daily Meditation: Isaiah 41, 1 John 4
When I was little, my bedroom was on the other side of the house from my parents. The cellar and garage doors were between us. At night, a creaking floorboard or a gust of wind through the billowing trees outside my window could seem unsettling and scary. As a child, the few feet between my parents’ bedroom and my little bed could seem like several miles – and it was dark. The fear that seeped in would cause me to forget that I was safe.
As grown women, our fears are different. We may no longer be afraid of the dark, but perhaps a family member’s diagnosis, a flailing relationship, an adult child turning away from their faith, or a pervasive sense of loneliness is causing us to tremble.
Fear is a powerful emotion. It can intimidate or cripple us. As a result, we may become defensive and timid. Fear can immobilize us or even make us physically ill. And just like my childhood fear kept me from remembering that my parents were close and I was safe, our adult fears can make us forget that we our safe in our heavenly Father’s arms, especially in the dark. Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV) states, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid…”
From the beginning of time, God has reminded his people to not be afraid. Though fear may seem to be embedded in our nature, we must boldly remind ourselves of who we are in Christ. Galatians 4:7 (NIV) states, “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” God desires a relationship with us. We are known by him. He loves us, and he is for us. The reassuring phrases “fear not” and “be not afraid” are used in the Bible over a hundred times.
You don’t have to be afraid of anything, and that includes darkness, death or life, angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers in all of creation, because nothing can ever separate you from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).
“Feed your fears and your faith will starve. Feed your faith and your fears will starve.”
– Max Lucado
Be fearless: The fact that we are free to not fear is liberating! It brings true peace and rest, and it even promotes sweet sleep. The Lord covers us, shields us, and watches over us. Freed from fear, we can rest—and even run and dance—in our freedom.
Let’s let 2019 be the year we grow closer to the Lord and become the fearless, strong, and faithful woman we are meant to be in Him! In Be Fearless, Julie Clinton provides a scripturally-sound guide for finding freedom, purpose, joy… and fearlessness. Be Fearless is now available in our store! https://www.aacc.net/product/be-fearless/ Consider working through Be Fearless with another extraordinary woman or group this year!
Julie Clinton, MAd, MBA, is president of Extraordinary Women and host of EWomen conferences all across America. She is the author of several books including A Woman’s Path to Emotional Freedom, 10 Things You Aren’t Telling Him, and Extraordinary Women. She is passionate about seeing women live out their dreams by finding their freedom in Christ. Julie and her husband, Tim, live in Virginia with their children, Megan and Zach.