God is leading me down a very interesting and unexpected path as I seek to know and believe his promises.  The more I study the promises of God and ask for his help believing his promises, I find him leading me face to face with my fears.

To be truthful, fear is what propelled me into this study of believing God. I am not sure I realized it at first but four months in now, I see that there are deep rooted fears from which I seek relief, and I am humbly seeking relief in God’s word.

God, as always, is faithful. He is showing me scriptures that seem to be true prescriptions for abolishing my fears. However, I can’t come to a scripture without facing the fear that led me to it. And then I doubt. I get caught up in an abyss of “what ifs” and “what abouts” and “how can I know for certains” and I find my eyes turning away from the Word made Flesh and onto the waves around me that want to drown me in an ocean of anxiety and fear.

Praise God, he strengths me and I continue to press on. I am facing my fears in this ultimate quest to really believe God. And the more I saturate myself with scripture, the more my mind is renewed. Now I am beginning to frame my fears in light of the gospel and what it really means to be a child of God, and a disciple of Jesus Christ. Bringing God into my fears and believing him to conquer the darkness there has been one of the most frightening yet freeing exercises of my walk with God.

I also realize that I have only just begun to face my fears. But I also realize that the ONLY way I am going to learn to believe God’s promises and rightly apply them to my life is to shine the brightest light on my fears and face them, once and for all.

Believing God = Facing Your Fears in the context of God’s promises.

A few verses that encourage me:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

“I sought the LORD, and he answered me, he delivered me from all my fears. . . . The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. . . . Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing” (Ps. 34:4, 7, 9)

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you… In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4,11)

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7)

“The LORD…will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)

“I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4)

“I will…not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself is my strength and my defense…” (Isaiah 12:2)

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared. (Proverbs 3:21-26)

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:25-26)