“I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 

I am ashamed to admit it, but the fact is that when I am afraid, I often forget to pray.

God’s name should be first on my lips when fear hits. He should be the One I turn to immediately. But instead, all too regularly, I forget. Instead of calling on him, I try to rely on myself. Instead of turning to him, I turn my whole gaze inward, focusing on the fear, focusing on my lack of strength, focusing on me, me, me, me, me. No wonder fear gets such a strong grip on my soul!

The psalmist knew better: “When I was afraid, I sought the Lord. He’s the one I turned to. He answered. He delivered.”

Now, a word of caution here: relief is not always immediate. God’s answer and deliverance may unfold over months or years. God will definitely call you to give it your 100%. God may require that you make changes to your lifestyle and behaviors and thought patterns. God might ask you to look certain fears dead in the eye that you have avoided for years.

God doesn’t promise a timeframe around deliverance. He just promises that it is a sure thing.

So seek the Lord. Pour out your needs before him. Ask him for his help. For his strength. For his resources. For his deliverance. “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened” (Luke 11:10).

• What is your first response when fear hits? What do you do? Why?
• Do you truly believe that God is willing and able to deliver you from your fears? Why or why not?
• Have you ever, in essence, demanded or expected God to work a miracle – and when he didn’t do so, you became disappointed in him and apathetic about further prayer? If so, address this with God in prayer. Seek counsel if necessary.
• What resources has God given you to help you overcome your fear?
• What further steps might God be calling you to take in order to overcome your fear? 

© 2010 Paula Marolewski, www.SinkYourRoots.com

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