Self-control over fear!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. I am doing a short series discussing things that God has given us the ability to control. Here is another one.
You can have self-control over fear, i.e. terror, fright, fearfulness, alarm, panic, dread, dismay, anxiety, worry, foreboding.
Fear is not from God
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
Don’t be anxious about anything! But, in every situation do these 3 things:
1) Pray
2) Petition God with your requests
3) Thank Him
And, in Christ Jesus, He will do these 3 wonderful things for you:
1) He will give you the peace that transcends understanding.
2) He will guard your heart.
3) He will guard your mind.
Here is the Bible verse that says it clearly: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
God’s promises about fear
“But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
Note: The Bible says “do not fear” 365 times, one for each day of the year! It is a command that God truly wants you to understand. You must exert self-control over all fear! You can control it! Do NOT let the devil tell you otherwise!
Quotes:
“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela