The Truth About Fear
Micca Monda Campbell

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:8 (NIV)

Have you ever noticed how some TV commercials mix just enough truth with their product to make it believable? While that's called false advertisement, the product still comes off convincing. It's not until we purchase the product, and it fails, that the trickery becomes exposed.

In the same way, Satan specializes in false advertisement. He's good at making our fears look real when they are not. Does that mean all fears are wrong? No. The fear of standing near a high cliff protects us from getting to close to the edge and toppling over. One the other hand, Satan's spooks are full of trickery. They are usually disabling and keep us from progress. This kind of false advertisement can choke our faith and fuel our fears.

Have you ever wondered where our struggle between faith and fear began? I have. According to author and teacher Malcolm Smith, fear was introduced to the human race by a satanic lie.

The Garden is the first place where the serpent deceived Eve by twisting God's word. The Lord told Adam “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). If he or Eve ate from that tree, they would surely die spiritually. Not only did Eve eat the forbidden fruit, but she offered it to Adam and he ate too.

As soon as Adam disobeyed God, their relationship changed. Adam was not only afraid, but he doubted God's authority, friendship, and provision. Satan's lie told Adam that he didn't need God. In fact, Adam was persuaded that he could be his own god, self-sufficient in every way.

The same can be true for you and me. At times, you and I live independent of God's presence. We act as if everything depends on us. We wouldn't dare admit that we are in over our heads. We want to appear in control. But God never meant for you and me to be strong in and of ourselves. We were meant to show His strength in our weakness as He provides for our needs. We were created to live like little children, dependent on the care our heavenly Father.

The times we insist on living life our way, in our own strength, we experience the same result as Adam and Eve. We will live in fear. This is right where Satan wants us.

If we're afraid to try, we never will. If the enemy can keep us contained by fear, we won't be able to fulfill our potential or make a difference in the life of another. Satan knows what we are capable of with Christ. To prevent us from that realization, he poisons us with fear.

The truth is what we fear rarely comes to pass. This kind of fear that is fueled by Satan's lies can be described by this acrostic:

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

It's not that we shouldn't be concerned about certain issues of life such as safety and health. But when worrying takes over by keeping us up at night and shutting us down during the day, we've moved into a place we were never meant to live. We must return to living in God's presence and relying on His promises and provision. Only then will we be able to distinguish between truth and lies. Only then will our lives be marked by faith, not fear.

Dear Lord, help me to discern between false fears and real concerns. As I commit Your Word to memory, make Your truth alive in my heart so that I can battle fear and live by faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell

i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio

Finding a Faith Stronger Than All My Fears (3 CD set) by Micca Campbell

Visit Micca’s blog

Application Steps:
Determine if your fears are real or if they are only False Evidence Appearing Real. If your fears are real, heed their warning. If they are smoke and mirrors performed by the enemy, take those thoughts captive and give them to God in prayer.

Reflections:
Do you doubt God's provision and protection - why or why not?

Are you living independent of God's presence, or carefree in His care?

How can depending on God's resources and strength eliminate your fears?

Power Verses:
Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NIV)

John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." (NIV)

1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." (NIV)

© 2009 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.

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11 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am about to take my state boards for nursing for a second time and I have tons of anxiety. And this is the devo that I needed this morning. Thank you and keep me in your prayers this morning

Thank you!

Anonymous thelady_bug@yahoo.com said...

As I was reading my devotion that was my encouragement for today I always go back to my bible and read it again. Well in my KJV it read:2 Timothy 1:8
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
and in my NIV:
2 Timothy 1:8
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,
and then again I read the devotion:
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:8 (NIV)
I am a little confused on this could you please explain. Thank you.

Blogger pro356mom said...

I think the verse reference is a typo. The verse from Romans is "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption." Romans 8:15

I hope this helps. I know that keeping my faith stronger than my fear has carried me through some challenging life circumstances.
Katherine

Anonymous thelady_bug@yahoo.com said...

Thank you so much...I was thought I was reading it wrong....God bless you ..

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have just found this wonderful website and reading the Daily Devotion. I have been a wavering Christian for the past year. I say wavering because I have not been actively tending to my relationship with God. I have been focused on all the "problems" in my life. I just recommitted myself to God this week and instantly He has sent so many messages to me. Today the Daily devotion message of not depending on God to provide and protect us is echoing my life this past year. I have not turned to Him for my needs. I have struggled and become frustrated with all areas of my life such as work, school, home and my children.

I watched the movie "Fireproof" this weekend with my future husband (it will be my second marriage). I saw many aspects of my life in that movie. I received the strong message that I couldn't love all the people in my life UNTIL I turned my focus back to God FIRST!!

Now, I am focused on God first again. I have given all these struggles to Him. God is lifting my heart and my burdens are falling away. I just tried to struggle alone..but now I see He has never left me..I left Him. God is so powerful and full of mercy.
I just wanted to share this message of Hope and Praise that God is always providing..we may not always be receiving.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

In your daily devotion you wrote "The Lord told Adam not to eat of any tree in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17)."

The way your version of the verses read to me is that Adam should only eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. With the word 'not' placed between 'Adam' and eat makes the sentence read entirely different than:

"But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for this wonderful devotion for today. I have been really struggling with fears, anxieties and unbelief. I'm currently searching for a job. God has showed himself so strong in my life in the last few months, yet I still have the tendency to doubt. The question you asked in the devotion "Do you doubt God's provision" made me truly ask myself why am I so anxious, nervous, can't sleep, and very grouchy. I came to the conclusion I chose not to trust God. I chose to focus on the things I have no control over. Whether I get a job or not God will still provide. For example, our church has a Wednesday Night Outreach ministry, the children come to the church at 4:00; we help them with homework, give them snacks; we serve dinner at 6:00 to whoever is wanting to come out (you do not have to be a member. On last night I was anxious about having enough funds to purchase the meal for this evening (Sub sandwiches). To make a long story short. I received a phone call about 8:00pm, a member informed me another member had donated two pans of bar-b-cue chicken and it would be ready for today. I actually leaped for joy because God continues to send me signs that he will continue to provide for our ministry as well as myself if we just stand on his promises and have the faith. Please keep me in your prayers!! I told my husband maybe God does not intend for me to work full time but give myself unto the ministry. He will provide a way for my student loans to be paid.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

i struggle with fear and anxity every day. i hope i can hold on to this deviotion when the day gets darkest to pull me thru thanks to god and you for sharing this with me.

Anonymous Anonymous said...

thanks for this devotion. helps me a lot.

Anonymous Nicole Terrell said...

I have been struggling with almost overwhelming fear for the past few weeks. My husband left a coule months ago. I have four kids. Their biological dad took off and is no longer paying child support. My dad had been trying to help me pay bills but lost his job. I do have a job and a really great boss, but i just don't make enough to cover my monthly bills. I have been using my income tax to cover what i couldn't pay with my income. That money is gone in the next couple of weeks. I look at my kids, ages 6, 4, and twin 2 year olds, and feel inadequate at providing for them. I know I shouldn't worry about providing for my children but for some reason i am being hit pretty hard with fear right now. The Lord has always been my provision in the past and has taken care of us in unimaginable ways. Right now I am trying to get Gov't assistance with my childcare. All my paperwork is turned in except one thing and I need my husband to help with that one thing. So far, he "seems" unwilling to help. I know that God is working in all these situations in my life but I have always been independent and am probably getting in His way. I am very weak right now but hate admitting it. I don't like situations that i can't fix and am surrounded by them on all sides. Pray that i remember Who is really in control. Pray that I can rest in Him. Pray that i can resist the fear Satan puts before me so I can send him packing!

This ministry has really been a source of strength for me. I pray for all you ladies who think that your Hearts can bear no more. the Lord knows exactly how much we can bear and and is faithful to rescue us when we call on Him!

Anonymous Anonymous said...

This passage has meant so much to me and has always come to my rescue in times of fear. I servived years of sexual abuse at the hands of three men,one my father. The others , my uncle,and the Dr. I went to for help. This passage was given to me and has been my strength. Later I lost my husband, my job, and anaccidnt took my health. Without God I would not have servived. He led me to Lay Missions Caanada where I was able to share my story that not only healed me but many many others. God is aiways the answer, and I always go to hm first.

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