Anxiety is so commonplace in our fast paced world that there are entire industries in place to alleviate it. Anxiety, insecurity and fears can be absolutely crippling. As a parent, I am constantly battling anxieties in all forms: Fear of not being the best parent I can be for my children, anxiety about providing for my family, insecurities when I compare myself to others. This is not the way God intended us to think or live. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says that where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. God has finished his perfect work on the cross, so it is not a process. As Christians we can live in the freedom of Christ now.
1 John 4:18 says that There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear[a]involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
How do we abide in the freeing spirit of God or in his perfect love? I believe that the first step is consciousness. We need to be conscious of the fact that God will come through for us. We need to consciously remind ourselves that God is good and our provider and that there is nothing to fear because he watches over us and loves us.
We can remain conscious of his love for us by daily reading the word of God and filling our days with prayer and thankfulness. We can memorize scripture that affirms the fact that God will never leave nor forsake you.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]
How beautiful the love of our Father is, He has promised to never leave or forsake us and as a response we are to say that we will not be afraid. He has given the Holy Spirit to us to comfort us and we are to allow him to remind us of and encourage us with the words of God (John 14:26.)
John 14:27
New International Version (NIV)
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Dear God, help us to abide in your love and not worry or be afraid. Guide us in contentment and thankfulness so that our eyes will be open to your hand in our life. Let us be diligent in reading your word and communing with you so that we may walk in the light and be free from anxiety. In Jesus’ name, amen.
