I crawled into bed and slipped under a blanket of fear. My husband was out of town for work, and I was afraid to go to sleep. Fear had become a constant companion during his nights away.
Knowing I needed to trust God, I went through the motions of what good Christians do: I prayed, read Scripture and taped Bible verses on sticky notes to my lamp and bedside. But then I also put a phone under my pillow and a neighborhood directory beside my bed.
The next night, I took it a step further by putting toys on the stairs — to trip possible burglars. I brought my children into my room to sleep there as well, and moved the dresser in front of our bedroom door.
Although I thought I was controlling my circumstances, fear had taken control of me. Frustrated that I still couldn’t sleep, I opened the Bible and read a familiar passage:
“‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze’” (Isaiah 43:1b-2).
As I read each word slowly, God showed me something I’d never seen: My fears were like flames and my efforts to protect myself were like gasoline. Every attempt to ease my fears was like dousing fuel on the fire, and now it was consuming me.
Gently, the Holy Spirit reminded me that God had not given me a spirit of fear but a spirit “of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7b, NKJV).
Suddenly I knew the only way to overcome my fear was to walk in faith through what I feared the most. I had to put away the props in which I’d placed my faith and go to bed trusting God, realizing that even if my fears came true, He would be with me.
I crawled out of bed and put everything away. The dresser went back in place. My kids went back to their rooms and I went to sleep without my phone under my pillow. And that night, I slept better than I had in weeks!
Fear loses its power when we actively trust God more than what we fear. {Tweet}
Let’s ask the Lord to show us today what we’re afraid. What could be paralyzing your faith, and keeping you from living confidently in His peace and freedom? And let’s be brave enough to give God a chance to come though for us by taking one small step of faith in that area where we’re most afraid.
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What small step of faith could you take to walk away from or through one of your fears today?
Share your thoughts below and ENTER TO WIN the audio version of A Confident Heart! ChristianAudio invited me to do the reading, so you’ll actually hear me telling the stories and sharing the teachings when you listen to it. And I’m so excited to give one to two of you that enter to win!
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Thank you for this post! I just had a job interview Monday for a much needed job. The preceding days had been filled with fear and anxiety to the point I didn’t want to do the interview. Fear was crippling me and I finally did the phone interview at the urging of my husband who wanted me to do it for him. Part of me resented that he asked this if me, but I did do the interview. I don’t believe I performed well on the interview, but I know it’s in Gods hands. Since the interview I’ve been fearibgbtge future and asking God for confirmation that I am His and He is with me. As I read the post you used “my verse” Isaiah 43:1. Its the verse I’ve asked for and God has faithfully given me on many occasions to calm my fears. I just happened to come accords this post accidentally while reading the 7 day doubt duet on my olive tree app and thought I’d look you on the web! God is so good
I found this today after searching through one of your articles my daughter sent me. The part of the mars sage about adding fuel to the fear by giving in is something I really needed right now. My husband and I are seperated and have been for 2 years with not an ounce of progress as of yet. He struggled badly with fear as well as his mother, brother, and all 4 of our children. I haven’t so much until this situation has occurred. The insecurity of this entire situation has created fear in me. But as I read what others have written, I feel angry! Look at what we all are allowing Satan to do to us and our families! He’s a liar thriving on torment, a coward that knows he will never win!!! So he preys on us and we allow him, rather then standing on the truth, the living, true word of our savior. With spiritual boldness I am angry. I will pray for all of us. I hope the rest of you will too. Perfect love cast out all fear. In Jesus we find that and only there. ???
I have recently been diagnosed with a rare brain disease. I have been battling the fear by trying to grasp control of everything I can (diet, supplements, trying to understand the research and all the treatment options). I have been reminded in many ways to let go of the fear and step out in faith that God has a plan and will guide me through the jungle maze.
I am trying to stay focused on looking up to Him instead of looking at my current health crisis. I can feel Him with me and I only need to listen to His still, quiet voice and stay in His Word.
I couldn’t agree more! I’ve done some of those same exact things! I would love an audio version of this book!