For the Spirit God gave us does not make us fear but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
I hope I'm not alone when I say that fear feels like a frequent visitor on the journey of motherhood. I fear for my children - for their safety, their friendships, their futures, their hearts. I fear we won't have enough family time as they grow older. I fear for our finances. I fear for my own future - what will I do when my children are gone?
Our fears can range from rational to ridiculous. But what they all have in common is that they confine us, keeping us from experiencing freedom in Christ and crowding out peace.
God has more in store for us - if we will flee from fear and take hold of our identity in Christ. Paul reminds us in Romans 8, "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba, Father'" (v. 14-15). God has released us from slavery - we must claim our identity as children of God and cling to Him. Instead of crying out in fear, we cry out, "Father! Help me!" We must concede that we have been adopted, flee from sin, and refute the lies of the enemy. In releasing our fear, we can lean into all that God has for us: life to the full and the comfort of our Father.
We have power in this matter, authority in the name of Jesus because we are His children, His heirs. We are not victims - we are victors. We are not held captive - we are captors of fear and the lies of the enemy and anything that takes a stand against the fullness of life that is in Christ. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us fear but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7). We must turn our list of fears into a declaration of faith, a proclamation of freedom. We have power because the Holy Spirit dwells in us and our Father calls us His own. Jesus Himself is interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. We have the fruit of the Spirit growing and abounding in us - including that of self-control, the ability to be disciplined in our thought life.
And a note on love: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment" (1 John 4:18). Do I really believe it is true - his love is perfect? When I fear and fret it's because I forget: His love endures forever. His grace is sufficient for me (even in my weakness...especially in my weakness). I believe the fraud of the enemy: I must perform. I must be in control, perfecting my parenting and my life and the lives of my kids.
There is no fear when we believe that Jesus is who He says He is, when we believe he told the truth when he breathed his last breath: "It is finished." There is no fear when we trust that His ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
So may fear take ground in our hearts and minds no more. May it cease to crowd out peace. May it have no hold on our children - may anxiety find its home elsewhere. May our fears drive us to the arms of our Father as we depend on Him daily for freedom.
Fear has no place when we are living in His grace.
A prayer against fear and for freedom:
Father, forgive me for walking in fear instead of in faith.
May fear flee in the name of Jesus. In His name I rebuke the lies of the enemy.
Holy Spirit, fill me with your fullness, that there would be no room left for fear to live here. Father, remind me of your truth - I am your daughter. I am held, and your perfect love casts out fear. I claim power, love and self-discipline because your Spirit dwells in me. Help me to remember who You are and who I am in you.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
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