Scaredy Cat

What are you afraid of? Rejection, failure, death, persecution, loneliness, aging, gaining weight? So many things in this sinful world we live in can cause our hearts to hammer in our chests and sweat to break out on our foreheads in fear.

I am attending my first writer’s conference May 19 – 24 and have fought against several of the fears mentioned above. What if I make a terrible first impression? What if I choke when someone asks me what I’m writing about? Is my hook and pitch catchy enough? Will a publisher or agent tell me I’m wasting my time?

As a believer in Jesus, I’ve had to practice what I’ve always encouraged others to do when fear comes knocking. Go to God’s Word. Maybe you need a little reminder about how to overcome fear, too. Let’s look at what God says in response to each potential fear I’ve mentioned.

Rejection: “God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.” Acts 15:8

Failure: “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

Death: “He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.” Psalm 103:4

Persecution: “So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper,
    so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6

Loneliness: “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5

Aging: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

Gaining Weight: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Be encouraged brothers and sisters. As children of God you have no need to fear. You are fully loved by God, fully accepted. He never leaves you, and He protects you from enemies. When He looks at you, He sees a beautiful masterpiece completing the good work He planned for you. He redeems you from death with the promise of eternal life. It just doesn’t get better than that.

You belong to God, my dear children… the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4

So, when fear comes knocking, remind yourself what God says about you, and kick fear to the curb. Fear is from the enemy, and the enemy is a liar.

I want to leave you with a song to drive this truth home.

Join the conversation. What are you afraid of? Share some scriptures God has used in your life to help you overcome fear.

Know someone who could use this encouragement? Share via the social media links below.