Overcoming FearSample

Who Are We?

During that season, when we discovered the tumor, went through initial emergency surgery, attended numerous serious doctor visits, and received constant bad news, I cried more than I ever have in my entire life. I couldn’t eat, I lost 10 pounds in a month, and I was so completely consumed by what we were facing that my parents and in-laws had to help me with my three young kids constantly because I didn’t have the capacity to care for them.

I know so well the power of fear. It affects us physically, mentally, and spiritually – in every possible way. 

But here’s the thing that I have learned about who we are, and what is spoken over and over in God’s Word: we are dearly beloved children of God – conquerors and royalty! And we have power over fear! For “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons (and daughters!) of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship” (Romans 8:14–15a, italics mine), and “it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). 

If Christ has set us free, who are we to put ourselves back under the influence (slavery) of darkness? Fear makes us slaves! Oh, and sister, that is most definitely not who we are! 

We are not slaves to anything except righteousness (Romans 6:18). We are daughters of the Most High God (Romans 8:14)! We are seated in heavenly places with Christ (Ephesians 2:6)! “The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells” in us (Romans 8:11) and makes us more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)! And I could go on and on. Our identities in Christ are beyond amazing and provide so much for us. We truly are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), and we have been provided with everything that we need for a godly life (2 Peter 1:3)! Let us walk in that identity and let it give us the utmost confidence! For “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b).

Be encouraged. In light of who we are in Christ and armed with a good knowledge of exactly what we’re up against, we can conquer fear. We have been given this confidence because of Jesus. Because of his sacrifice and our participation in his nature, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16b)! Let that sink in for a bit. Is there fear in the mind of Christ? Surely not! Moreover, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him (her). In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment because, in this world, we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:16b-18b, italics mine). You see, in this world, we are like him. And he is love. Perfect love drives out fear. So the fear has to go!

Prayer for today: Father, thank you for your Word that shows me who I am in you. Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice that provided me with this identity and all that comes with it. And thank you for your perfect love that casts out ALL of my fear. In Jesus’ name, amen!