Today I want to remind us living in fear is optional for children of God. Sometimes we think there is no choice available. But there is in Jesus. So do not live under the privileges of God’s children. When we are in Christ, we are not slaves, we are heirs of God Almighty. And that does change everything.
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. (Romans 8:15a, NIV)
Okay, you say. But how do we go about living without fear? This is crucial, isn’t it? Too often this is silent knowledge and too many do not know how to live fearlessly. So I will tell you how I go about it. Hopefully, it can bless you on your faith journey.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
(Zephaniah 3:17b, NLT))
So we need God and his love and the power of his grace to calm our fears. We can’t chase our fears away no matter how hard we try. But it is easy for Jesus when we give him the freedom to do so. This might sound too easy. But do not overlook it. Instead, try it and you will be amazed.
Living in fear is optional
In the morning, I surrender to Jesus and ask him to be the Lord of me and my life. In the evening, I release my hurts, fears, and burdens to the foot of the cross. Usually, this is enough. But some days fears try to take the upper hand if I let them. So I need to continually keep surrendering and releasing my fears to Jesus. Let me tell you, it does work.
It works because when I pray, my mind is shifting from my fears to Jesus. And I realize no matter how big my fears are, my God is bigger. When I let the peace of God flood my mind and remind my heart all is well, I start rejoicing in the midst of hardships. I can’t, yeah, but God can do more than you can imagine.
So do not carry your fears when Jesus has already done so at the cross. And maybe you’ve heard, it is finished. Nothing left for you to do but trust and cling to Jesus. Refuse to live in fear. Living in fear is optional. Jesus is offering you to live in his grace and peace. Take him up on his offer and find a way to live fearlessly. It is possible. Also for you.
Gracious God,
Forgive us for forgetting to release our burdens and fears to you.
Thank you for offering us a way to live fearlessly.
Show us how to do it, and help us to release our fears over and over until we let go of them.
Thank you for bringing us peace, and helping us to always live in it.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
P.S.
Isn’t it amazing that we are NOT meant to live in fear? God’s design for us is his love, peace, and grace. This is how I want to live. So I keep releasing my fears, sins, burdens, and everything to Jesus. He has already carried all my troubles to the cross so I can live joyfully and fearlessly. That’s the way I like it, how about you? Join me in living this way. It is the start of a faith revolution! Because living in fear is optional when we live in Jesus. Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim. Come and live in God’s grace and peace!