I don’t know about anyone else, but I do know that I have certain fears in my life. A few of my fears would be those creepy crawly things that many call spiders. I also have a great fear over snakes.

I got thinking about something our pastor said during last weeks sermon. While there are hundreds of Bible verses about fear and anxiety, the verse Pastor Ray mentioned was Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What stands out to me about this particular Bible verse is about that we can find peace in God when our worries become to much for us to bear and overwhelm me. Even though I don’t know what is going to happen, I know that I can trust that God will be there during times of trouble and make things easier to deal with.

I help home-school my grandsons and we have been discussing Thanksgiving and what it was like on the first thanksgiving.

What we have been learning about is how In 1621, how the pilgrims and the Native Americans praised God for what they have been given and they had a special day of thanksgiving to praise the Lord for a bountiful harvest. During their first year in the new world they went from having 102 Puritans to 46. They could have given up since so many have died due to sickness and extreme cold. However they were thankful for God’s grace, His provision and His mercy!

What I have found is that even though there are things that could cause me to be fearful and worry, I can look to God and be thankful for all He has done for me. Even though I have fears, the one thing I never fear is that I am alone. God is always there and God loved me so much that He sent His Son to die for me. Love is the most powerful and fear reducing emotion that we can experience.

Love has become a generic term for most people. When it comes to the kind of love God has for us it is the most effective way when it comes to conquering our fears…

If you turn to 1 John 4:18 it says; “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

In my life I would say that the more I love God, the less fear I have. In my bedroom I have a couple papers that I printed up that have verses about trusting God. When I have those moments where I let fear and anxiety get the best of me, I read them and I am reminded just how much God loves me.

I know that I can’t rely on myself when it comes to overcoming my fears and worries. I do know that I have to trust God. God will take care of me and He is there for me, even when I make stupid choices. Knowing He is there relieves any kind fear more than any Dr or medication could ever do. God has always provided for me and He will provide for anyone who asks.

I also realize that the more I love others the less fear I have. Love is the most potent remedy for fear.

There are a number of things that I keep in mind when I love others. In my life, I have to keep in mind that Satan has a way of using my fears and anxieties against me. He has no problem using my past sins and failures against me. Satan is the greatest deceiver of all time. He thrives on our fears. He wants nothing more than to have us turn away from God. While I have my moments, God is always there.

I have had some people ask me if I was afraid of dying. I can honestly say I’m not. Of course there is that fear of not knowing how it will be in those final moments. But it isn’t actually a fear, it is just not knowing. Life is full of not knowing what the future holds. When it comes to my faith, I do know what my future holds. That future is with Christ. If I didn’t have my faith and a personal relationship with Christ, I would be very fearful. But, I’m not.

As a Christian and believer in Christ, I know that I am only passing through this world. This is not my home. My home is with Christ alone and only through Christ can we have life. In Cor 5:8 it says; “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” Because of this and hundreds of other verses I know that I can apply this verse to each and every fear I may come across. Because of Christ I have no fear. Well, I still have a fear of spiders and snakes, lol.