Seeds Of Hope Daily Devotional: fear

Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Facing Fear

Fear comes from many different sources. It can come from a person or a place. Sometimes it erupts when everything seems calm and serene. Often it seems to grip us when we know we are in the center of God’s will doing God’s work and trusting that we are doing it in His way. All of us have those moments of being jolted by uncertainty and our sense of security shattered.

Our fears are no different from David’s. Psalm 6 begins with a statement that suggests that he is trying to deflect God’s wrath. “Oh Lord,” he cries, “Do not rebuke me in your anger!” Does this suggest that he is afraid of being punished for some sin he has committed? Or might he fear God’s judgment for something he did in the past while he was separated from God? Could he be afraid to ask for healing as he was going through a time of sickness?

He admits to “being weak,” his “bones being troubled” and his soul being “greatly troubled.” He really needed help – like we do - from time to time. But notice what he did: he did not focus on his pain and problems, he focused on the mercy of God!

“Have mercy on me!” he cried desperately! He needed God’s help! And in his fear and distress – whether it was his sickness or sin from his past that still haunted him – he had full confidence in God’s mercy and knew that He would hear him, help him, and heal him.

When we are overwhelmed by the issues of life or death, only our faith in God’s mercy and power can restore within us a sense of God’s presence and peace and restore our trust.

Prayer: Increase our faith, Father, and assure us that You will protect us in every situation. Calm our hearts, quiet our minds, and restore our peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. Psalm 6:2

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

Facing Fear

When we are overwhelmed by the issues of life or death, only our faith in God’s mercy and power can restore within us a sense of God’s presence and peace and restore our trust.

Prayer: Increase our faith, Father, and assure us that You will protect us in every situation. Calm our hearts, quiet our minds, and restore our peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. Psalm 6:2

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

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Faith And Fear

Fear often leads to defeat and disaster. It is a friend of inertia and instability. It supports dependency and will keep the most competent individual from taking the first step to achieve a lifelong goal. Fear is real, and many will allow it to stifle and suffocate their dreams.

What, then, is there to replace fear? Is it education? Could it be moving from one address to another? Might it be new friends? Can a different job or title replace a lack of self-confidence? Do our self-imposed limits cause our inner-being to retreat? Is there a defense for fear?

A king was being pursued by his enemies. He was weak, but they were strong. He stood by himself, and their numbers were staggering. But, he had something, one thing that they did not have: Faith. It was the part of the equation that made the difference.

Listen to him describe his situation: “Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident.” Faith calls upon Him who is invisible to accomplish things that are visible for us, through us and with us. Faith will turn horrible situations into outstanding conditions.

Confronted by overwhelming odds, David prayed, “Do not turn me over to my enemies.” He knew that his life was in God’s hands and that God could do with him as He pleased. But, he did not lose faith in God. His trust was absolute. And in his darkest moment, his confidence shone brilliantly: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart.” Anyone who trusts in Him, will always win.

Prayer: Lord, as we wait for Your strength, guard us; do not let fear control us or the size of the enemy defeat us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 27:3 Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident.

Faith And Fear

Prayer: Lord, as we wait for Your strength, guard us; do not let fear control us or the size of the enemy defeat us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 27:3 Though an army besieges me, my heart will not fear; though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Anxious And Afraid

Walk through the waiting area in any emergency room and the “face of anxiety” becomes real. From a minor cut to a major wound, fear is obvious and real. Even people with a deep faith in God are often grasping for a sign of hope or a word of comfort.

Our Psalmist was familiar with feelings of both peace and anxiety. He knew the comfort of God’s grace and had experienced His peace. However, he had an illness that took him to the very door of death. And beginning in verse one he walks us through his ordeal expressing his love for God and the greatness of His grace. He also presented a beautiful picture of God: He is a God who listens to our cries, responds with help, is gracious and righteous, filled with compassion, protects even the “simple-hearted” folk who are in need and saves them. All of the characteristics that he uses to describe God, by the way, are ones that every Christian can develop and share with others.

At the end of his ordeal he seems to catch his breath and reminds himself to: “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” It’s as though he could not believe the goodness of God, His grace or His power.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians about this. “...My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in (your) weakness.” God’s power to put our minds and heart at peace is a theme that runs through Scripture.

God spoke of this in Genesis: “Do not be afraid for I am with you...” And before Jesus returned to be with His Father He promised that “I am with you always!”

Prayer: Lord, when we face situations that are beyond our control, assure us of Your presence, peace and power. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

Anxious And Afraid

God spoke of this in Genesis: “Do not be afraid for I am with you...” And before Jesus returned to be with His Father He promised that “I am with you always!”

Prayer: Lord, when we face situations that are beyond our control, assure us of Your presence, peace and power. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 116:7 Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Facing Our Fears

Fear is a gift from God. It is actually 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’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 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 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 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid.

Facing Our Fears

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 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Fight Or Flight?

All of us seem to have similar responses when we face common events in our lives. There are certain scenes that bring emotions of sadness to most of us – when we see a child suffer or face starvation. We tend to shrivel inside when we see a person suffering from an incurable illness. We want to lift up the fallen or protect the vulnerable from abusive individuals. God planted a common thread in all of us that links us together.

He also gave us “common sense” when we face threatening conditions in our lives. We all seem to have two immediate reactions to life-threatening situations: we want immediate relief. We either want to “fight” or take “flight.” Psychologists would have us to think they discovered the “fight or flight” syndrome – or if we want to be more scientific – the general adaptation syndrome. This means we want things to return to a normal state when we are threatened. We want to be calm once again.

Although David didn’t use such “language” he knew what to do when it looked like things were about to threaten his well-being: he looked to the Lord. When faced with his destruction he asked God to “let death take my enemies by surprise.” He believed God would destroy those who wanted to destroy him. He also asked God for “the wings of a dove” so he could “fly away and be at rest.” He knew that God would always rescue him.

It is natural and normal to want to live a life that is peaceful and calm. It is God-promised. Whenever we face threats and trials we are to turn first to God in faith believing that He alone will rescue us.

Prayer: How precious is Your Word, Father, that has promised us hope, help and happiness in difficult times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:6-7 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert.”

Fight Or Flight?

Prayer: How precious is Your Word, Father, that has promised us hope, help and happiness in difficult times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 55:6-7 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert.”

Saturday, August 5, 2017

When Faith Faces Fear

“Life is Good” are the words beneath a happy face on a T-shirt. The moon-shaped circle with two slashes and a curvy mouth always seem to remind us of the importance of having fun and locking up moments of pleasure. We want to believe that “Life is Good!”

But is it? And when it isn’t, what are we to do?

Imagine a day that begins with a beautiful sunrise and soon after breakfast dark clouds filled with dreadful news bring some of life’s realities into sharp focus. Imagine a conversation with God that goes something like this: “You know, God, I do trust You and believe that You are concerned about me but that phone call informed me that I lost my job.” Or “My daughter has just confessed to being addicted to crack cocaine.” Or “My son got his girlfriend pregnant and they are juniors in high school.” Or “God my spouse left me for someone else!” Life happens. It did to David. It does to us.

God was David’s “rock,” his “strong fortress” and his “refuge.” Suddenly, life changed. He was “afflicted,” in “anguish” and about to be “ensnared by a trap that was set” for him by his friends. His “eyes and bones were weak,” he was a “dread to his friends” and his “name was being slandered.” Where’s your God, David?

Give up? No. He challenged the goodness of God and reminded Him that “I trust in You, O Lord. You are my God. Deliver me!” And God did. David challenges us to “Love the Lord because the Lord preserves the faithful. Be strong, take heart, and hope in the Lord!”

Prayer: Lord, give us a faith to exceed the obstacles of life that challenge Your goodness, greatness and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 31:14 But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.”

When Faith Faces Fear

But is it? And when it isn’t, what are we to do?

Prayer: Lord, give us a faith to exceed the obstacles of life that challenge Your goodness, greatness and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 31:14 But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.”

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Life's Choices

Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” That seems to sum up the journey before all of us in one way or another. We are constantly faced with making a decision about which way we are to go when we come to the “forks in life’s road.”

Each morning when we begin the day’s journey there is no assurance that what we intend to do will unfold as we planned it. Interruptions come from every side and what may have been peaceful and calm ends up being frantic and out of control. So, we are confronted with two ever present options: chose to have faith in God or be fearful of what is in us, in front of us, or around us. We are faced with the only two choices life has to offer: faith or fear. So, what does faith in God have to offer us?

In Psalm 27 David describes his Lord as his light, salvation and fortress. As his light David knew that God would reveal His plan for him and dispel the darkness that might come over him. He also believed that God was his salvation. This meant that God would deliver him from anything that would harm him or rescue him from tragedy when things went badly. He believed that the Lord was his strength – stronghold or fortress – a place where he could take refuge and restore his soul when he was overwhelmed with life’s demands.

No wonder he proclaimed: Why fear anything?

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for being our light, salvation and strength to meet the challenges of life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Life's Choices

No wonder he proclaimed: Why fear anything?

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for being our light, salvation and strength to meet the challenges of life! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Faith, Fear And Facts

Walking in “paths of righteousness” does not protect us from the “valleys” of life, but we can be sure that the Lord Himself is with us and will protect us. Though we may be surrounded by what may seem to be the ultimate darkness brought about by evil, we can rest in confidence because we know that God’s presence guarantees His protection.

“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me,” wrote David. These two powerful words, rod and staff were not meaningless words – but words that describe the ways that the shepherds guarded and protected their sheep.

The rod was used by shepherds to beat away any external enemy that might harm his sheep. The “crooked” staff was used by shepherds to snatch his sheep from getting in harm’s way. So, here we have a picture of how our Shepherd watches over us. He guards us from any external enemy that would attack, defeat or destroy us. He makes certain that they will not come near us nor harm us because His arm is around us. Nor will he allow internal enemies – thoughts or ideas – that would cause us to doubt His love, mercy, grace or salvation to destroy the peace His presence brings us.

Our Shepherd’s rod and staff summarize His role and describe the ways He will care for us if we allow Him. And when we allow Him to become our Shepherd we can say with David, “I will walk through valleys and fear no evil! They will not overcome me.”

Prayer: Lord, give us faith to believe in the facts of Your Word that in Your strength we need fear no evil. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Faith, Fear And Facts

Prayer: Lord, give us faith to believe in the facts of Your Word that in Your strength we need fear no evil. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Facing Fear

Fear comes from many difference sources. It can be a person or a place. Sometimes it erupts when everything seems calm and serene. Often it seems to grip us when we know we are in the center of God’s will doing God’s work and trusting that we are doing it in His way. All of us have those moments of being jolted by uncertainty and feelings of insecurity.

It was no different with David. In Psalm six it begins with a statement that suggests that he is trying to deflect God’s wrath. “Oh Lord,” he cries, “do not rebuke me in your anger!” Does this suggest that he is afraid of being punished for some sin he has committed? Or might he fear God’s judgment for something he did in the past while he was still a sinner? Could it be that he is afraid to ask for healing as he was going through a time of sickness?

He admits to “being weak,” his “bones being troubled” and his soul being “greatly troubled.” He really needed help as all of us do from time to time. But notice what he did: he did not focus on his pain and problems, he focused on the mercy of God!

“Have mercy on me!” he cried. He needed God’s help! And in the midst of his fear – whether it was his sickness or some sin from the past that haunted him – he had full confidence in God’s mercy and believed that He would hear him and heal him.

When we are overwhelmed by the issues of life, only our faith in God’s mercy and power can restore us.

Prayer: Increase our faith, Father, and give us the assurance that You will protect us in every situation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 6:2 Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.

Facing Fear

When we are overwhelmed by the issues of life, only our faith in God’s mercy and power can restore us.

Prayer: Increase our faith, Father, and give us the assurance that You will protect us in every situation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 6:2 Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Living In The Shadow

There is nothing more certain than death and nothing more uncertain than life or the time of one’s death. Although we cannot prepare for the events that will come into our lives, we can prepare for the day that our life will end. So, it’s wise to be prepared for that unknown day when we will meet God face to face.

In Psalm 23 David wrote, “Even though I will walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid for You are close beside me.” David was prepared for “the valley.”

David said with confidence that “I will walk through.” Death was not a dead-end street for David nor is it a dead-end street for the Christian. It is a throughway to heaven.

For many the “shadow of death” is a very frightening thought. Its dampening effect reminds us that we are entirely helpless as we face its uncertain hour. There are many enemies in life that we can face and fight – pain and sorrow, suffering and grief, hunger, rejection and abandonment. But death? Fighting against it is useless. It is beyond our control.

But even though we may be helpless as we face the certainty of death, Christians are not hopeless as we face eternity. There is a Person who will meet us at the “appointed time” and walk us safely though the “valley of the shadow.”

Prayer: We rejoice, Father, in Your promise that for the Christian “to die is gain!” We thank You for Your presence in our lives and the peace that we have in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Living In The Shadow

In Psalm 23 David wrote, “Even though I will walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid for You are close beside me.” David was prepared for “the valley.”

David said with confidence that “I will walk through.” Death was not a dead-end street for David nor is it a dead-end street for the Christian. It is a throughway to heaven.

Prayer: We rejoice, Father, in Your promise that for the Christian “to die is gain!” We thank You for Your presence in our lives and the peace that we have in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.