“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…”
Psalm 23:4 (ESV) – emphasis mine
“I will” reveals that it’s a choice or decision to fear or not. Fear is not an uncontrollable force – you can live a fear-free life! In Deuteronomy 30:19, God gives His people the choice between blessing or curses, and life or death. These things don’t just happen to us: we choose them through our decisions and what we focus our attention on. You need to know that because God is with you there is no need to fear.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me…”
Psalm 23:4 (ESV) – emphasis mine
When we are convinced that God is with us, and that He has our best interests at heart, it enables us to reign over fear. I have tangibly felt the presence of God many times, but I remember one day when I didn’t feel His presence at all – I was miserable and wondered where God was. God spoke to me and said: “You can seek tangible experiences but they will never last. It will cause your life to be like a roller-coaster, up and down. Or you can base your life on My Word which promises that “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) and you can experience constant joy. It’s your choice.” I quickly chose to go with what His Word says and I haven’t doubted God’s presence since. Knowing that God never, ever, ever leaves us and that we always have Him with us, gives us confidence. His presence isn’t dependent on your holiness and goodness; it’s a promise with no conditions. God is with you.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
Faith and fear are opposite forces. If you want fear to diminish and your faith to grow strong, then choose to continually focus on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and His Word. Fill yourself with the Word and choose to believe God above anything or anyone else (Romans 3:4).
In the midst of death and destruction, you can be confident and have a hope-filled expectation of good things to come, because GOD IS WITH YOU. Even in times of economic ruin, political turmoil or droughts, you can be expectant that you will come out of it and come out of it whole and well, because GOD IS WITH YOU.
“But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity]; I have called you by name; you are Mine! “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 (AMP)
“So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home.”
Psalm 91:10 (ERV)
You have nothing to fear because Jesus is with you! Focus on the promises in His Word and don’t focus on the troubling circumstances that surround you. Have a hope-filled expectation of great things to come.