Do Not be Afraid!

Don't be afraid for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my Victorious Right Hand.

Isaiah 41:10

This past year has been a year of fear and uncertainty that is for sure, for some of us more than others. We are being told to stay apart, but the truth is that we need each other more than ever, and we need Jesus the most.

Here in this scripture God is telling us that we are not to be afraid because He is with us. It is a command "Don't be afraid", God would not tell us to do something that we are not capable of. You may be saying "ya right, look around! Don't be afraid!?! How is that even possible?!" God knows our hearts so He goes on to tell us why we don't need to be afraid!

We don't have to be afraid because God is with us, and if we know Who God is and what we have through Jesus then we know with confidence that He is our Healer, our Provider, our Friend, our Protector, our Saviour, our King, our Brother, and SO much more!

God then reminds us not to be discouraged, another command. The best way I know how to do this is to take my eyes off of the problem and put them on Jesus. To turn my fears into gratitude. I make a point of writing or speaking what I am thankful for each morning upon waking and each night before bed. I will also think on what I am thankful for throughout my day, and especially put my focus onto it when fear tries to set in. I have made a decision to live in a state of gratitude no matter what.

In the beginning it may not come naturally to you to look around and to see the beauty, but keep at it, even if what you are thankful for seems silly, don't stop, it will get easier and eventually you will see that there is SO much to be thankful for, even in times of trouble. If we are living in a state of gratitude there is no room for fear. Try making this your practice this week and discover how well it works!

God promises to strengthen us and to help us when we choose to turn to Him and lean on Him. If you feel like you are at your end and you just can't get up anymore remember God's promise to hold you up with His victorious Right Hand!

The right hand represents strength, protection, salvation, promise, and provision.

See! You have ALL of these!

God loves you and cares about what you are going through. He also respects you and if you choose to turn from Him, He will let you go, but if you choose to turn towards Him and to run into His loving arms (even if in the past you chose to turn from Him) then He will open them widely and hold you in them!

Just this truth alone brings all the fear crashing down around us. It is the truth of God's Love that sets us free.

So do not fear for God is with you. Do not be discouraged for Jesus is Your God, He will strengthen you and help you. He will hold you up with His Victorious Right Hand.

Please reach out to me if you are in need of anything or if you have questions. We all need to stand together in Love.