Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) "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."
In the book of Job when Satan came before God, God pointed out Job. Satan accused God of putting a hedge around Job to protect him. Satan then pointed out ways he could get Job to curse God.
God allowed Satan to take everything Job possessed. Job 1:12 “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.
After he had lost everything, Job makes a powerful declaration, Job 3:25 "What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true."
When we allow fear to overtake our hearts we open the door to the devourer. God did not cause Job's suffering, Satan did. Job feared that he might one day loose all he had and that fear is what influence the enemy to suggest ways to test him.
The enemy knows us well. He studies our lives looking for ways to destroy us. 1 Peter 5:8 "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."
The enemy will try to cause us to fear so he can then pounce on that fear and bring destruction. When we begin to fear we must speak to our spirit and remind ourself that fear comes from the enemy. 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
The key to avoiding the fear trap is putting our trust and confidence in God. Psalm 56:3 "But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you." We can take all our worries and fears to him. Psalm 34:4 "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears."
Remembering how much he loves us can help us avoid the fear trap as well. Nothing can separate us from that love!! Romans 8:38 "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love." Psalm 23:4 "Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."
Fear is not from God and it draws our attention away from God and what he wants to do in our lives. We must take the fearful thoughts captive and make them submit to what we know about God. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
God is love and he cares for his own. He will never leave us to struggle alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) "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.”
Let us place our faith and confidence in God and avoid the fear trap.
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