Too many of us are consumed with fear. I am told that the fears that scare Americans the most include the dark, going to the doctor, thunder and lightning, dogs, flying, mice, needles, spiders, closed spaces, heights, public speaking and snakes. (Put me down for thunder and lightning, closed spaces and heights.)

But as believers, we need to be reminded that fear is not from God (II Tim. 1:7) and that fear is truly just a spiritual battle (Eph. 6:10-11). It is one of those tools that Satan loves to use against us. And too often it succeeds.

Although we have a plethora of reminders (“Fear Nots”) in the Bible, we still manage to trip ourselves up with fear, anxiety, frustration and apprehension in all sizes and shapes.

We struggle with the fear of being insignificant. We anguish over the question, “Do I matter?” We tend to find our identity in our physical body or mental abilities. We use our career or social sphere as proof of our importance. Or we measure our significance by our possessions. And all those measurements fail us.

We also fear losing the people we love. We secretly ask the question, “If they really knew me, would they love me?” So like toddlers often do, we might clutch our loved ones a bit too tightly. Our anxiety might choke the very life out of our relationships.

And we begin to question God’s judgment. Were we really fearfully made (Psalm 139:15)? Are we really His masterpiece (Eph. 2:10)? Is He really crazy about us (Psalm 139:18)? Will He really supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19)?

So, this week, if you struggle with some big fears or garden variety anxieties, stop and rehearse these words found in Eph. 3: 17-19.

“…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Remember that fear robs us. It pokes holes in our minds and scatters our thoughts in the winds of insecurity. Our apprehensions make us unsteady. They cause our hearts to tremble under the weight of self-made caution.

So instead, let’s remind ourselves that “God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love, and power and a sound mind!”