Fear is one of our greatest enemies. It distorts the truth about who we are. It can make us feel less than who we are. It can also cause us to doubt our own strength and capabilities. Fear will also interject itself into how we see God and our relationship with Him. It causes doubt, gets us to question God’s plan and blinds us to our identity in Him. Ultimately it keeps from reaching our potential and achieving all God created us to do. We must not let it gain a foothold in our lives. It’s lies spread and hold us back. Thankfully perfect love casts out all fear.
In Judges 6, we meet Gideon, and immediately we can see how fear is driving his decisions and has distorted his view of God, as well as his own identity. He is threshing grain in a wine press so he isn’t seen by his enemies. When the Angel of the Lord show up, He spoke to Gideon’s identity by calling him a mighty warrior and reminding him that God is with him. The fear in Gideon questioned God plan in their current situation. The angel spoke to his identity again and told him he was being sent to deliver Israel. When Gideon questioned it again, the angel said, “I will be with you” (NLT). The Lord continued to be patient with Gideon as he transformed him into the warrior God created him to be.
In Isaiah 43:1 the Lord says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” God knows that we all face fear in one way or another. His truth will drive out fear from your life and will help you see your true identity in Him. You have been called by name and belong to Him. He will not abandon you in your time of trouble. He sees your potential and calls it out the same way He did to Gideon. You may not see it in yourself right now, but listen to the voice of truth over the voice of fear. The goal of fear is to bring insecurity in every area of your life, but God’s love brings confidence, freedom and victory. It’s a process to let go of fear, but God is patient and will walk with every step of the way as you fight fear.
Photo by Bruno do Val on Unsplash
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Devotions by Chris Hendrix 
Thank you, Chris. I needed this today, as we are in back to school mode and I am an administrator. I woke up this morning anxious and even fearful about the future. I appreciate the reminder that there is no fear in God’s love, but His perfect love casts out all fear. Also, as 1 Corinthians 13 says, “Love never fails.”
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Praying this is a fruitful one. Share God’s love this year like never before.
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