Be Honest with God

Published: July 4, 2021, midnight

b'Don\\u2019t be afraid,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d I tell myself. \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Don\\u2019t have those irrational fears.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Don\\u2019t be scared of bugs, heights, crowds; eliminate those phobias. When I was feeling happy, hopeful, surrounded by friends,\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Do not be afraid\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d sounded so simple and easy. But beyond the phobias is a fear deep inside I don\\u2019t understand. The fear that keeps me up at night.Fear of the dark and of the evil of the world.Of rejection, death, the future, and being alone.How can I tell myself not to fear when I can\\u2019t take the fear away?\\n\\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Do not be afraid,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Jesus tells me, and reminds me why. He is the light of the world.He defeated sin and death, and He will be with me,No matter what the day or the night brings.He doesn\\u2019t just tell me, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153Don\\u2019t be afraid,\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9dHe tells me I don\\u2019t have to because He has overcome. He did not just tell me not to fear the storm,He calmed the storm in front of me. \\u2022 Abby Ciona\\n\\u2022 What has Jesus\\u2019 love done to fear (Hebrews 2:14-15)? \\n\\u2022 Even King David experienced fear (Psalm 56:3). What did David do when he was afraid? \\n\\u2022 Do you have fears you can\\u2019t seem to shake? Many of us do, and God didn\\u2019t intend for us to walk alone through our struggles. Who is a trusted Christian you can talk to about feeling afraid? \\n\\u2022 If you\\u2019re feeling overwhelmed by fear or troubling thoughts, and you aren\\u2019t sure who to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.\\nEven though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4a (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nPsalm 86; Romans 8:23-28'