Don't Be Afraid

Fear strikes us in so many ways.  We leave our homes, secure the locks, and activate the alarm because we fear our belongings will be stolen.  We carry mace, knives, or loaded weapons, because we fear we will be attacked.  We put up fronts and pretend we are someone other than ourselves, because we fear we won't be accepted.  We develop prejudices and preconceived judgments against others, because we fear those who are different.  There are talents that we have and ideas that God has given us that we don't pursue because we fear they will be rejected or they will fail.  We even hide our Christianity and pad our evangelism, because we are afraid others will think that we are too holy or strange. Fearfulness is wicked and giving in to it is dangerous.  That is not to say that we will never feel fear.  God knows that we are human and that we live in an imperfect world.  He acknowledges that fears will come.  He just doesn't want us to let fear take us over.  God has our back and there isn't anything God can't handle. So stay strong, pray long, and don't be afraid.

Scriptures:
Psalms 27:13 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?...Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall, not fear

2 Chronicles 32:7,8 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid or dismayed...with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles

Prayer:
God, if you are for us, who can be against us?  Help us to live above and beyond our fears.