Fear is a gift from God. It is one of God’s greatest gifts. It alerts us to dangers that may be lurking in dark alleys. It awakens us at night when we hear strange sounds that make no sense. It causes us to take precautions to avoid accidents. It summons our senses when things are out of “the ordinary.” It is God’s “early warning system” that notifies us that something unusual or unique is about to happen. Fear is necessary for us to survive.

Some fears are helpful, some are harmful. Dr. Samuel Johnson, for example, would never step into a room with his left foot. He sincerely believed that something terrible would happen to him in that room if he “stuck” his left foot in first. Julius Caesar was terrified by the sound of thunder and would hide. Even Peter the Great, with all his power, cried out in fear when he was forced to cross a bridge. Those, we might say, are abnormal fears.

David also had his fears. His friends forsook him, his confidants betrayed him, and his family was not loyal to him. But he overcame all his fears by his faith in the faithfulness of God. “When I am afraid,” he said, “I will trust in You – In my God, whose Word I praise.” He was not fear free. He was faith focused.

When doubts surfaced and threats surrounded him, when times were uncertain and days filled with dangers, he always turned to God in faith knowing from the past faithfulness of God that He always had His hands over him and His arms around him.

Prayer:  Remove our unfounded fears, Father. May we learn to trust in You as our protector and defender. May we recognize Your faithfulness in the past as a fact that You are with us now! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: When I am afraid I will trust in You – In my God, whose Word I praise. Psalm 56:3-4a

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Fear is a gift from God. It is one of God’s greatest gifts. It alerts us to dangers that may be lurking in dark alleys. It awakens us at night when we hear strange sounds that make no sense. It causes us to take precautions to avoid accidents. It summons our senses when things are out of “the ordinary.” It is God’s “early warning system” that notifies us that something unusual or unique is about to happen. Fear is necessary for us to survive.

Some fears are helpful, some are harmful. Dr. Samuel Johnson, for example, would never step into a room with his left foot. He sincerely believed that something terrible would happen to him in that room if he “stuck” his left foot in first. Julius Caesar was terrified by the sound of thunder and would hide. Even Peter the Great, with all his power, cried out in fear when he was forced to cross a bridge. Those, we might say, are abnormal fears.

David also had his fears. His friends forsook him, his confidants betrayed him, and his family was not loyal to him. But he overcame all his fears by his faith in the faithfulness of God. “When I am afraid,” he said, “I will trust in You – In my God, whose Word I praise.” He was not fear free. He was faith focused.

When doubts surfaced and threats surrounded him, when times were uncertain and days filled with dangers, he always turned to God in faith knowing from the past faithfulness of God that He always had His hands over him and His arms around him.

Prayer:  Remove our unfounded fears, Father. May we learn to trust in You as our protector and defender. May we recognize Your faithfulness in the past as a fact that You are with us now! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: When I am afraid I will trust in You – In my God, whose Word I praise. Psalm 56:3-4a

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Fear is a gift from God. It is actually one of God’s great gifts. It alerts us to dangers that may be waiting in dark alleys. It awakens us at night when we hear strange sounds that make no sense. It causes us to take precautions when accidents happen. It summons our senses when things are out of “the ordinary.” It’s God’s “early warning system” that notifies us that something unusual or unique is about to happen. Fear, after all is said and done, is necessary for us to survive.

Some fears are helpful, some are harmful. Dr. Samuel Johnson, for example, would never step into a room with his left foot. He sincerely believed that something terrible would happen to him in that room if he “stuck” his left foot in first. Julius Caesar was terrified by the sound of thunder and would hide. Even Peter the Great, with all of his power, cried out in fear when he was forced to cross a bridge. Those, we might say, are harmful.

David also had his fears. His friends forsook him, his confidants betrayed him and his family was not loyal to him. But he overcame all of his fears by his faith in the faithfulness of God. “When I am afraid,” he said, “I will trust in You - In my God, whose Word I praise.” He was not fear free. He was faith focused.

When doubts surfaced and threats surrounded him, when times were uncertain and days filled with dangers, he always turned to God in faith knowing that God had His hands over him and His arms around him.

Prayer: Remove our unfounded fears, Father. May we learn to trust in You as our protector and defender. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 56:3, 4a Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust;

While visiting a Sunday school class, the pastor asked, “How many of you pray every night before going to sleep?”

Every hand in the class went into the air. “That’s wonderful,” he said. And continued, “How many of you say your prayers every morning before going to school or out to play?” Everyone but George raised their hand.

“George,” he asked, “tell me why you don’t pray each morning.”

Quickly he responded, “Well, it’s because I’m not afraid in the day time. I can see all around.”

Fear can often be very helpful and useful. It usually accompanies a feeling of alarm or an unexpected event that may be something we cannot control. It can help us to be alert to dangers or objects that could do us harm. It might even be caused by guilt or shame for something we have done or not done, reminding us to ask God for His mercy and forgiveness.

David once wrote, “I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” People can harm us, causing suffering, pain, humiliation and even death. But no one can ever rob us of our soul or the future we may have with our Father in heaven. We need to fear only God who controls this life and access to His presence in the life to come.

Prayer: Father, as we place our faith in You, may we live in peace knowing that in Your love we are safe and secure, now and in eternity. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 56:3-4 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

It was the responsibility of Doc, our German shepherd, to be the protector of our home. He had been specially trained for this duty. Each evening he would travel from room to room making sure that “all was well.” After he completed his “tour” he would lie patiently between our chairs never leaving us for a moment.

One evening he heard thunder for the first time. Up went his ears. His eyebrows furrowed. Finally, he sat up ready to do something. His only problem was that he did not know what to do: they did not teach him “thunder” at the dog training school. So, he immediately began running from room to room, barking loudly and looking for an intruder who dared to challenge him.

Initially, it was rather humorous. But as the intensity of his search continued and his fear and frustration became more futile, I called him to my side. Then I ordered him to sit, placed his body next to my leg and petted him gently until the thunder and his fear was gone.

Thunderstorms are common in all of our lives. They often appear with no warning. One moment the sky is blue, the clouds are bright and the breeze gentle. The next moment we are facing driving rains and fierce winds. Said King David: “But when I am afraid, I put my trust in You!”

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the peace that comes with Your protection and the strength You give with Your grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 56:3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

A professional hockey star was known not only for his ability to score goals but for his short fuse and hot temper. It seemed as though he got into a fight in every game.

One day his small daughter asked, “Daddy, how can you score goals when you are always in the penalty box?”

Good question, isn’t it. We all seem to place ourselves in a “penalty box” when we lose control of our tempers and harm others.

Self-control is an important part of everyone’s life. It is our ability to manage our behavior, especially when we are threatened and act from impulse or emotions.

We cannot blame others for those moments when rage rules. Each of us is responsible for our actions and behaviors, our choices and decisions.

However, it may be time to realize that there is something beyond self-control. God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us and guard us. God has given us His Spirit to live a life under His control. No matter what others may say about us or do to us, we have the power through Him to do what is right, say what is right, live as Jesus did. God has given us all the tools that we need to avoid the “penalty box.”

The gift of “Spirit control” will always put us in the best possible light to reflect His glory and keep us from responding foolishly.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to wiling give up our self-control to become Spirit-controlled. We know that You can and will give us victory over ourselves if we but surrender to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Psalm 56:3-4