Overcoming Fear in Troubled Times
Wars. Terrorism. Financial calamity. Racial strife. Climate change. Nuclear proliferation. The drug epidemic. There are many things happening in our world today that can cause us to fear. But for those who have committed their lives to Christ, God has provided precious promises in the Bible to bring peace in the midst of chaos.
The key to experiencing the peace offered by these promises is to go from merely reading the words to actually believing that the promises are for you. This assurance of peace comes as we grasp the reality of who we are in Christ, and who Christ is in us. If you have received Jesus as your Savior, then the Bible says His Spirit dwells with you, and you are “in Christ.”
The apostle John gives us some clarity when he writes: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” (1 John 4:18). The Bible says that God is love — He is perfect love. So when you invite God to be in the center of your life, and you invite Jesus to be Lord, you have perfect love in the center of your world. As a result, you can rest knowing that your Heavenly Father loves you and is watching over your circumstances. The perfect love that dwells inside of you casts out all fear.
Now, this doesn’t mean everything will always go well for you. Jesus made it clear that “in the world you will have tribulation.” But then He brings the encouragement: “…but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). In this promise, Jesus mirrors the assurance of the psalmist who writes: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
Read the full article on Inspiration.org
More Bible Teaching from Craig
Order Craig's book: Seven Keys to Hearing God's Voice
