Day 11 of 21 Day Prayer Challenge

Day 11: OVERCOMING FEAR

There are two types of fear. One is good and is encouraged; the other is a fear that must be overcome. The first one is the fear of the Lord. This doesn’t mean we are afraid of God; rather it is an awe or respect of God realizing all His power and glory. It is having respect for His power and authority. This type of fear is total acknowledgment of all that God is, which comes through knowing and studying God and His attributes.
This is not the fear I want to talk about. The other type of fear is “the spirit of fear.” This type of fear is mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7 which says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” It is a spirit of fearfulness and timidity that does not come from God.
I’m not going to lie; there are times when I’m afraid. I don’t care how old you are, when you are by yourself and you hear weird noises at home you freak out a little bit. There are things in our lives that scare us, whether it’s a conversation we must have, something we need to overcome, or a sin we need to deal with and confess, the “spirit of fear” takes over. That is when we need to trust God completely. I believe God intentionally put encouraging verses about overcoming fear throughout the entire Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God tells us to “fear not.”
God tells us not to be afraid of being too weak. God tells us not to be afraid of being alone. God tells us not to be afraid of not being heard by Him. God tells us not to be afraid of lacking physical necessities. Trusting in God is refusal to give into fear. Trusting God begins by turning to Him in the darkest of times and believing He will make things right.

1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Psalm 56:11
“In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Romans 8:31-32
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all— how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
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Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please remove the spirit of fear inside me that often keeps me from trusting you. I declare my trust in you. Be near to me as I face my fears today. Amen.