‘What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” ) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Romans 8:31-39(NLT)
‘But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. ‘ 1 John 4:4(NLT)
‘The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.’ Psalms 28:7(NLT)
‘And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”’ Nehemiah 8:10(NLT)
‘For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ‘ Jeremiah 29:11(NLT)
Take comfort in these amazing words from Romans 8: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” In his Experiencing God Bible study, Henry Blackaby writes, “God wants joy, not fear, to dominate your life.”
If you haven’t already, place your full trust, faith, and life in His hands. Know that He has your best interests at heart and desires to bless you. When we realize these truths and hold onto the promises of God, then joy—not fear—should overflow from our lives.
We have a purpose and a great calling to be ambassadors of Christ; to be the hands and feet—the body of Christ—to a hurting and lost world. You can’t live on mission if you’re paralyzed by fear and crippled with anxiety.
Please hear me: I know this is easier said than done. I’ve battled anxiety and fears for 30 years. However, I have come to believe, know, and understand the truth that, “Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world.” I have come to know and believe that God has plans to protect and prosper me, not harm me. He wants to give you a future and a hope.
I’ve learned over years of counseling and therapy that anxiety is about control. Please join me in resting in the fact that God is in control. Let go of your powerful grip on fear, anxiety, unrest, and your desire to control every situation and every outcome. Place your faith in the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth. He can handle it.
Pray about this. Believe this. Trust this. Meditate on this and then live this out.
from Take Courage by Greg Alkinson