WAYS TO CONQUER FEAR                                         Psalm 31:19

Oh how great is Your goodness. Which You have laid up for those who fear You (Psalm 31:19)

At 31, a retinal disease robbed my sight, aggressively, completely, and with no expectation of regaining it again.

That’s when I opened not just a window, but a huge patio door of self-pity. Why me? I asked over and over again. The winds of anxiety and fear blew right through my soul. What will I do being blind, unable to care for my 3, 5, and 7-year-old sons? Where would I find help, answers to my questions, comfort? How could I calm my nagging fears?

In the midst of all those questions, like my friend Cindi, Jesus was gentle to come to my rescue. To remind me and to point to a different kind of fear, the fear that ushers perfect comfort:

“How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” Psalm 31:19 (NLT)

And while under His refuge, windows of destructive emotions closed. Doors of wisdom opened instead. They ushered three important truths to conquer fear:

The God of the universe is watching. He’s listening and is ready to point the way in the darkness.

He will hold us up, give us strength, and begin a new life in us.

He will fulfill His promise:

“Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will bring me safely through them.” Psalm 138:7a (TLB)

PRAYER LINE: Father, in the midst of fear that fuels my stress, how comforting it is to know that you, with your mighty power, will bring me safely through all of these frightening emotions. Teach me to trust in you, in your timing and in your ways. Because of you, I will purposefully close each window of negative emotions so I can settle in the freedom from all my fears. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Janet Perez Eckles

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When we surrender to Jesus, we experience true love.