Defeat Fear

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 JOHN 4:18

Fear is the opposite of love. When you are in fear, you are choosing to believe the enemy over the promises of God. God NEVER creates fear. He is pure love, kindness, goodness, and in all things looking out for our best.

When the enemy deceives us into fear, we walk right into his camp and away from the truths of God. I realize caution is prudent. There are circumstances and people in this world that are out of our control and raise our concerns and lead us into fearfulness. But remaining in fear is the devil’s goal. In fear, it’s difficult to hear God. We make poor decisions. Fear causes physical deteriorations and reactions. And fear locks us in a spiritual prison. Then the spirit Confusion joins in and Terror is quick on his heels. Ick!

BUT….. Hallelujah! Greater is he that is within me than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Jesus did not leave us as orphans! (John 14:18) As children of God, we possess major weapons to defeat the devils of fear and teach our children to do the same.

When my daughter, Caitie, was young and my son was in his teens, my husband traveled out of town for business. Every week, out on Monday back on Thursday. I was alone in my house for most nights as the kids grew up. And it wouldn’t take much in the middle of a dark night, a slight sound outside, something falls off the counter in the kitchen, or some other unexpected and sudden sound would lurch me straight out of sleep into a panic, heart pounding, fear-gripped sweat, lying in bed. Covers poised to pull quickly over my head.

Well, finally Jesus told me to memorize this power verse:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
1 TIMOTHY 1:7

And once hidden in my heart, if I was suddenly frightened in the night, I would sit up in bed and begin to speak this verse OUT LOUD.

“God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and sound mind. Did you hear that, devil? God did NOT give me a spirit of fear… NO, NO, NO… OH NO HE DIDN’T. You know what he gave me devil? A spirit of POWER… More powerful than you. He gave me a spirit of love and a mind that is sound and fixed on him. Do you hear that, devil? God gave me a powerful spirit. I will not be afraid. I command you out, spirit of fear. Get out of my room, out of my house away from me and my kids. I will not be afraid of you. I am filled with a sound mind, and I have a powerful spirit. I will rest in this truth. In Jesus’s name, AMEN.”

My pounding blood pressure would slow. The atmosphere shifted, peace arrived, and I slipped back to blissful sleep. I was consistent to sit up and repeat this verse over and over, even with my unbelieving husband in bed next to me. But, I was finished with being pushed around by fear. And I didn’t care if my husband woke up and heard me barking at the devil. *grin*

The Word powerfully defeats fear. The Word of God bends time and space, creates galaxies, knits a child in the mother’s womb. God’s Word releases angelic forces to smash the demonic plots coming against our life and those we love. We are placed on the offense.

Share this gift with your children. Teach them to speak 2 Timothy 1:7 when they are awakened at night.