FREEDOM FROM CRIPPLING FEAR
HOW DOES FEAR SHAPE YOUR response to life’s difficult moments, especially in the family?
Fear pushes some to procrastinate and put off decisions they know they should make. Others erect barriers to keep anyone from truly knowing them. Still others are controlled by a fear of failure. Finally, fear drives people away from God. Some men and women refuse to surrender to God and His will, fearing what He might require of them.
So what is the best antidote to this kind of crippling fear? Hear what Isaiah says, “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you” (35:4). The best antidote to crippling fear is prayer and total surrender of your will to Jesus Christ.
How many things do you really need to worry about? None. Instead, you should entrust your situation to a loving and almighty God. Your Lord wants you to approach Him with an attitude of gratefulness for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do. As you pray and yield your life, marriage, and family to God, and as you learn to “be anxious for nothing” (Phil. 4:6) and begin “casting all your cares upon Him” (1. Pet. 5:7), God will begin to replace your fears with faith.
NOTE: This article is from the book Family Life & Marriage Bible by Dennis and Barbara Rainey.
NOTE: Daily there is a new post to help your marriage succeed.
LOVE YOUR SPOUSE 
I I have said i surrender but does God just want people waiting around. I know it says many will say Lord, did i not cast out demons in your name and He will say depart. I have been to church and truly it seems like all people are being taught is to do everything in their own strength. How are we to truly know Jesus of Nazareth if He isnt being being truly introduced. I know i cant blame anyone but how can we study at our own feet without being prideful and thinking we are better than others that dont read the Bible. I feel like the church is a big social club. We sing songs, hug and smile yet inwardly we are coveting, jealous, bitter, hateful, controlling, fear driven people. I am a 30 year old woman that has seen nothing but negativity, brokeness. I hate shutting God out but how can anyone surrender knowing He allows more pain. I know im full of pride and fear. So it doesnt matter how much i read or pray seems like i get angrier at God for not changing me. Its like i hear others say God must be your everything. I dont understand how to put Him first and live everyday. Some christian women says women shouldnt work or wear pants some say its fine with God. So if anyone is seeking Him that would push them away because He cant be a God with two different truths. Also i have heard Sunday isnt the true Sabbath. If God changes not doesnt that mean alot of believers are wilfully or ignorantly disobeying Him. I guess im work base driven, but how can i have genuine faiyh in God when all im after is Him making me a better person. That is selfish because i dont want the true living God but only what He has to offer. How are people to want to know Jesus when all people describe Him to be is someone who will fix their problems. We never address sin in our life and our responsibility to let it go. Please anyone that can help me or pray for the real Jesus of the bible to save me. Americans seem to follow after false teachers more and more. Name it and claim it but what happens when God allow the hurt. Then we turn from Him bitter and angry.
Hi Takisha!
Thanks for your comment. Everything you are saying is what either leads people to Christ or against Christ. I had all those questions in me when I came to Christ. It was in 1975.
At that time I didn’t know one person who was a born-again Christian. I was on a bus by myself and told God if he was real, that I wanted to go to heaven. It was a selfish prayer, but God honored the fact that I went to him to answer my questions and that I told him I didn’t want to go to hell. He touched my life that day and I have never been the same.
I didn’t have a church, so the first thing I did was ask God to put me in the church he wanted me in. God showed me that within a few weeks. I didn’t come to Christ with problems, I came to him at my best. He then stripped me and allowed me to go through battles. Through that, I learned how to battle life God’s way.
It has been a challenge but I have learned how to partner with the Holy Spirit. That is the key and the secret to being a successful warrior. Whatever your issues are, we all have started with them. Enjoy the journey!