Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV — Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Last week and this week we have been addressing our fears. Yesterday I encouraged you to remember times God has fought for you. Today, let’s praise God for His faithfulness. First, read this history of the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” written by Hymnology.

Now spend some time praising God for His faithfulness. Thank Him for fighting your battles. Give thanksgiving for His mercies and compassions that are new every day. I encourage you to hold your list of fears up as you praise God and listen to this version of the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” Draw courage from God as you worship and praise Him.

Let’s pray. Dear God, great is Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your new mercies and compassion for me. I lay my fears before You and praise You for the work You are doing and will continue in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Exodus 14:14 NIV — The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.

Take a moment to remember the story of the Israelites’ escape from Egypt by reading all of Exodus 14.

Pull out that list of fears you have been working through this week. Some of your fears may be fear of failure, fear you are not enough for a task, or fear of success. Now put yourself in the Israelites’ shoes, which were probably dusty sandals. Imagine their thoughts and fears as they left their homes in Egypt. What a scary adventure! Moses told them that God would fight for them and God did just that.

Now take a moment to sit and remember all of the times God has fought for you, strengthened you, and brought you through deep waters on dry ground,  just as He did for the Israelites. Reread your list of fears through the lens of God’s warrior heart. 

As you close your time of reflection today, listen to “Battle Belongs” by Phil Wickham. Draw strength, courage, and assurance from the words of the song and trust that God will fight for you as you face your fears today.

Let’s pray. Thank You God for fighting for me. Forgive me for times I focus on my fears instead of Your steadfast love. May I be ever mindful of how You fight for me everyday. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV — for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

When I was a little girl we had a fish fry at our house every Friday night that included my dad’s fishing buddies — two retired widows from our church. The fellowship was always enjoyable and their wealth of knowledge was priceless. One night the adults talked about an incident of a lady coming home one evening and a “bad guy” was hiding under her bed. As they continued the story, which ended in favor of the “good guy,” I became fixated on the bad guy hiding under the bed. Thus was born an irrational fear of someone hiding under my bed. For what seems like years, at night when I went into my bedroom, I would take one step and then take a leaping jump to my bed so that if there was a bad guy under my bed he/she couldn’t grab my leg. Take a moment to envision that scenario. Isn’t that hilarious?

Thankfully I came to my senses and got over that fear. As I have grown older and wiser, I realize how debilitating fear can be, but I also realize fear is not of God. Fear is a liar. Listen to the song “Fear Is a Liar” by Zach Williams. Reread your list of fears you wrote Sunday and give them to God. Speak to the lies of fear and tell them they have no power over you. You are a child of God!

Let’s pray. Thank You Lord for giving me a spirit of “power and love and self-control.”Give me strength and courage to overcome my fears. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

1 John 4:18 NIV — There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Before we dive deeper into our fears, take some time to read this article produced by CNN Health titled “What is the Science Behind Fear?”

Merriam-Webster defines phobia as “exaggerated fear of” or “aversion or intolerance of” something. As humans, we sometimes let our minds run wild and create imaginary scenarios. However, as Christians, we have been born of God and we know God. Read 1 John 4:7-18 NIV and be assured of God’s love.

Now refer back to the list of fears you wrote yesterday. Read the list through the love of God. If you are able, mark the ones that are exaggerated fears or phobias. Today, pray for God’s love to guide your thoughts and give you strength and courage to deal with those phobias.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your perfect love. Help me to be ever mindful of Your love as I encounter situations that cause my fears to arise. Fix my mindset on Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Proverbs 9:10 NIV — The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Last week Julie shared with us about fear and a holy, healthy fear of God. This week I will share with you some other thoughts about fear.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines fear as an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. Fear is a natural, human emotion. Fear can be crippling. Fear can cause anxiety and stress. 

Today, spend a few moments making a list of fears you may have or experience. I encourage you to have what I call a “brain dump.” Sit alone, in the quiet, with just you and God. Have a pen and paper in hand and just list any and all thoughts you have about fear. There will be no right or wrong answers and this is just for you and God to see. This week as I share some thoughts on fear, I encourage you to keep this list close by so you can refer back to it. For now, make the list and let it go. Leave it at home when you go to your place or time of worship today. Do not let the thoughts of stress or fear spill over into your time of rest and rejuvenation. Do not let fear cripple your Sabbath. Instead, draw near to God.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Draw me close as I worship You today and help me let go of stress. Give me strength and comfort on this Sabbath. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV — In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.‬‬

Watch today’s See You Saturday Video as I share with you about something you can do while on vacation to be a witness for Christ.

Psalms 46:10 — Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

I have enjoyed reliving some of my past vacations. Have you been able to walk down memory lane? Do you have a vacation planned for sometime in the near future? Perhaps time and money have restricted you to travel. You can still take a mini-vacation while remaining at home — a staycation. Take a moment to read this article titled Take a Mini-Vacation Every Day! A Few Staycation Ideas.

Did the article spur some ideas for your very own staycation? I encourage you to build in some prayer, devotion, and Bible reading whether on a vacation or staycation. The time away with God promises to be rejuvenating and renewing. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, I seek time away with You. Thank You for our times together and for rejuvenation in You. Guide my time so I am able to be renewed. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.