Dear Friends!

All of us will experience situations in our lives that have us feeling worried or even afraid. You might even be experiencing one right now.

An upcoming medical appointment? A child or grandchild who is off track? Talks of job cuts at work? A relationship issue? A financial struggle? Just the future itself?

It’s truly amazing how many things we can be afraid of on a daily basis — big and small. I know that from personal experience, and I’m sure you have felt it too. But fear is not a random feeling — it is a weapon of the enemy. And it’s something we need to overcome in order to experience the life Jesus came to give us.

So, I want to encourage you with this truth today . . .

You don’t have to live with worry. You don’t have to coexist with fear. With God’s help, you can defeat fear and live a bold, confident, overcoming life.

We all face troubles and hardships from time to time, but it’s how we respond to those circumstances that determines the kind of life we are going to live.

• Will we give up, or will we move forward?
• Do we choose faith, or do we accept fear?
• Is our focus on our problems, or is our focus on God’s promises?

When we face those issues, we need to remember what the Word of God says:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV).

It took me some time to really understand the power of this promise. There was a time in my life when I had more fears than I could count. Because I was abused as a child, I was afraid of making people angry. I often got caught up in being a “people pleaser.” I was fearful that others might not approve of me.

At that time in my life, I didn’t understand how to fully trust God to handle my problems. But over time, God showed me exactly what fear is and how to combat it — through faith. I had to stop listening to the negative thoughts, and I had to start choosing faith-filled thoughts. Learning how to tune out the fearful thoughts — thoughts we all have at times — and discovering steps to help me stay living in faith each day changed my life. And I know it can do the same for you!

Faith is the key to overcoming fear. When we choose to walk by faith and not by sight, it’s amazing how our outlook changes. Jesus says in Mark 11:22–24 (AMP): “Have faith in God [constantly]. . . . Whatever things you ask for in prayer[in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.

I love how this verse tells us to have faith in God “constantly”. It doesn’t say have faith in God only when the going is good, or until you come across some unexpected problem. And it doesn’t say to give up when the going gets tough. God’s Word tells us very clearly to always have faith.

When you feel fear creeping in, you can make the decision to reject that fear and to practice your faith

instead. You can begin by saying things like:

• “ I believe God is working in my life. I trust Him, and I’m expecting something good to

happen today!” (Philippians 2:13; Isaiah 30:18)

• “ I know that God loves me and that He is always with me. I don’t have to be afraid,

because God is in control!” (Isaiah 41:10; Romans 8:28)

• “ God is good, and His promises can be trusted. I know that He has great things in store

for my life. I put my faith in Him!” (Psalm 34:8; Jeremiah 29:11)

When you stand on God’s Word — when you learn to focus your thoughts on His promises —

there is no limit to what God can do in and through your life.

Think about this for a moment . . . Have you heard the expression “use it or lose it”? For instance, if you don’t use a muscle, it becomes atrophied and weak, and you can no longer use it. The same principle applies to our faith. If we aren’t making the conscious decision to put our trust in God, then our faith will shrink — and we’ll leave the door wide open for fear to creep back into our lives.

But when we build up those faith muscles, when we set our thoughts on God’s goodness and promises, fear no longer has any place in our lives. Remember: When we are born again, Ephesians 2:10 (AMPC) says that we were . . . recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew].

So whatever Jesus is, you are too. You have been made new in Him. That means:

Jesus is strong — in Him, you are strong too. (Philippians 4:13)

Jesus is courageous — in Him, you are courageous too. (Psalm 31:24)

Jesus has joy and peace — in Him, you can have peace and joy too. (Romans 15:13)

In Christ, you can do whatever you need to do with His confidence and boldness!

If there is a situation that threatens to overwhelm you today — a circumstance that is stealing your peace and causing you to worry — remember that you aren’t facing it alone. God is with you, and He loves you. You have nothing to fear because He has a great plan for your life. Choosing faith over fear,

God has already given you the faith you need to overcome fear. You just have to learn how to activate it through your thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions.