Psalm 118:6a – The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. (NKJV)

Fear has a way of taking root in our lives and then remaining there and rearing its ugly head at times and places in our life.

Do you know people who, when they go into a coffee shop or restaurant, like to be seated so that they can see what is happening in front of them? They don't like to sit in the middle of the room with people constantly passing them — it is unsettling for them. Not being able to see what is happening or who is coming towards them is unsettling for them.

Imagine going into a coffee shop or restaurant with another person who also feels that way, and there is only one seat that is the choice seat. That was when it became evident to me that it was time to face it. When confronted with another person whose thoughts were the same, it became evident that I was looking into a mirror, and what I saw was fear. But Lord, that fear could not be in my eye, or could it? Well, it was, and I came face-to-face with fear that day.

Circumstances in one's past can leave a person growing up with a feeling of not being safe and a fear that is so deeply rooted that the person isn't aware that it shouldn't be there — until confronted with it up close, which Jesus did that day with me. It took a few weeks for the fear to be totally gone from my life. It disappeared only through the revelation given to me that day, and my act of not allowing the fear to overcome me. At times, during an outing, I would have to quote Scriptures that I had memorized and hidden in my heart, but as I became stronger in the truth of the Word, then my fears became less and less, until completely gone from my life. Here are two of the Scripture verses that I would say to myself:

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (NKJV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that we are able to overcome the things of our past that try to pull us down and keep us from a complete life in You. Help us to show others the way of victory in You. Challenge us in areas of our lives that need to be brought to the cross. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Julie Bowles <julieanni@rogers.com>
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
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