Being afraid inhibits trusting God.  Shall I allow my doubt in God’s Sovereign authority and the grace He has given that I might petition Him in prayer, be replaced by anxiety, fear and apprehension?  The Lord did not give us the spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.  If I am experiencing fear, unless it is an awe inspired reverence for God, then it is certainly not coming from God.

I either believe that God will answer my prayers or I don’t.  Fear of men, events and circumstance are all notable opportunities to either trust God or give into worldly worry.  Caveat requires acceptance that my prayers may not match God’s Plan, but that does not alleviate my responsibility to have faith in His promises, righteousness, truth, justice and mercy.  Especially, in those circumstances where God has an answer that differs from my requests in prayer.  Either I trust in God or I trust in something else.

When I am fearful, do you think God steps away from my situation?  Does He pull back His blessings of mercy and grace because I have given into instinct or impulse?  Did my Father leave me when I learned to ride a bike, went on my first date, took my first exam, spoke publicly for the first time or found the open water for my very first swim?  No, my worldly Father stood there with me, but stepped back so that I might know the effects of experience upon confidence leading to growth.

Fears are real to the man experiencing them, but they fall into the category of self-denial into which God directs us.  Certainly I will be afraid at times, but I must also recognize that these impulses do not come from God and subsequently deny their sovereignty in my walk.  As Paul said, I must capture the thought, for there was never a sin committed that was not first contemplated.  Fear may remain a thought and not cause harm, it is when we allow it to sponsor action that the danger begins.  Being aware of danger and running from them are both sponsored by the same stimuli, it is the action that differentiates their definition.

This is the greatest battle for most of us because the prize of victory is massive, a surrender to God’s Will and an equal increase in our measure of faith.  Will you experience fear, yes?  What you do with that stimuli will determine your character and change the topography of the land before you.  Facing fears does not get any easier, what increases is our trust in God’s Sovereign authority and promises to provide for us and protect us despite the fears, obstacles, demons or battles we will inevitably face.

Recognize your fears, observe and contemplate them but act only in faith upon an unchangeable God.  Rejoice in His ability to overcome all that we might fear or face.  Stand and know that God is fighting for you and will never sleep, leave or abandon your trials.  Be transformed by a renewing of your mind as the Bible directs.  Be strong, be aware and be ready.  In God We Trust, by the Mighty Name of Jesus.