“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5
Whether it is monsters hidden in a dark closet or spiders crawling on you while you sleep, we are all afraid of something. Fear is an ever present and necessary part of life. While it may be scary, learning how to overcome our fears can help us learn about ourselves. By overcoming them, we mature into the people we are meant to become. However, overcoming fear is not easy. Fear can sit on our hearts like a blanket covering a flashlight, hiding the light beneath it. Fighting our fears can feel like fighting a brick wall or like taking a step off of a cliff without knowing what is at the bottom. In order to overcome fear, we need to understand the light that is mentioned in John 1:5. We need to understand the power that shines through us and within us.
We are all living through a period of dramatic change, whether we wish to or not. Often with change comes fear and uncertainty. It is not always easy knowing which decisions to make when the future is so uncertain, but we have the power to overcome the hardest of challenges even in these times. The following scripture describes the light that gives us the power to overcome:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
In the middle of so much chaos, we have the ability and opportunity to be a light through the spirit. We have been gifted with a spirit that makes us capable of so much more than we even understand. God has gifted us with power, love, and self-discipline. We receive it through faith and believing that God will fight for us. Through good times and bad times, that light remains. It is a light that people need to see and a light that we should not keep hidden.
When we hear of bad news on TV or online, remember John 1:5. The darkness will never overcome the light. We have a choice: we can give in to fear or we can fight against it. We can step off that cliff knowing we will land safely and we can break through that brick wall knowing there is One that fights with us. We just need to believe what God has said.
There are some in this world who do not properly value human life and we can see that in our culture at times, but this is not the case with God. He knows our worth and he has equipped us with what we need to overcome fear in our lives. We were made to thrive (John 10:10), Jesus came in order that we may have a fulfilling life. But part of living that fulfilling life means we must be will to learn and grow through the obstacles and challenges we face every day. Whatever tough choices or decisions we have to make, we possess the strength and have access to the wisdom that will help us make the best choices and decisions.
Do not make decisions based on fear. Stress and anxiety will come like a rising tide, but they do not have to define who we are. Let love, power, and self-control define who you are. Decide to give to others when you have little. Decide to love when it would be easier to hate. Hold your tongue when you feel like giving someone a piece of your mind. Eliminate distractions and overcome addictions. With God’s help, you have the ability to create a light that overcomes the fear inside you and illuminates the world around you.
John 1:5
Whether it is monsters hidden in a dark closet or spiders crawling on you while you sleep, we are all afraid of something. Fear is an ever present and necessary part of life. While it may be scary, learning how to overcome our fears can help us learn about ourselves. By overcoming them, we mature into the people we are meant to become. However, overcoming fear is not easy. Fear can sit on our hearts like a blanket covering a flashlight, hiding the light beneath it. Fighting our fears can feel like fighting a brick wall or like taking a step off of a cliff without knowing what is at the bottom. In order to overcome fear, we need to understand the light that is mentioned in John 1:5. We need to understand the power that shines through us and within us.
We are all living through a period of dramatic change, whether we wish to or not. Often with change comes fear and uncertainty. It is not always easy knowing which decisions to make when the future is so uncertain, but we have the power to overcome the hardest of challenges even in these times. The following scripture describes the light that gives us the power to overcome:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
In the middle of so much chaos, we have the ability and opportunity to be a light through the spirit. We have been gifted with a spirit that makes us capable of so much more than we even understand. God has gifted us with power, love, and self-discipline. We receive it through faith and believing that God will fight for us. Through good times and bad times, that light remains. It is a light that people need to see and a light that we should not keep hidden.
When we hear of bad news on TV or online, remember John 1:5. The darkness will never overcome the light. We have a choice: we can give in to fear or we can fight against it. We can step off that cliff knowing we will land safely and we can break through that brick wall knowing there is One that fights with us. We just need to believe what God has said.
There are some in this world who do not properly value human life and we can see that in our culture at times, but this is not the case with God. He knows our worth and he has equipped us with what we need to overcome fear in our lives. We were made to thrive (John 10:10), Jesus came in order that we may have a fulfilling life. But part of living that fulfilling life means we must be will to learn and grow through the obstacles and challenges we face every day. Whatever tough choices or decisions we have to make, we possess the strength and have access to the wisdom that will help us make the best choices and decisions.
Do not make decisions based on fear. Stress and anxiety will come like a rising tide, but they do not have to define who we are. Let love, power, and self-control define who you are. Decide to give to others when you have little. Decide to love when it would be easier to hate. Hold your tongue when you feel like giving someone a piece of your mind. Eliminate distractions and overcome addictions. With God’s help, you have the ability to create a light that overcomes the fear inside you and illuminates the world around you.