DAY 10: WHEN FEAR PICKS UP THE BRUSH
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
“Fear is an evil imagination that paints tomorrow without the promises of God.” — Dr. Daniel LeBlanc
WHEN FEAR PICKS UP THE BRUSH
Fear is more than an emotion. Scripture identifies it as a spirit that distorts our view of God, causing us to doubt His protection, goodness, and faithfulness. When we accept those lies, anxiety, dread, and insecurity follow. Fear paints vain imaginations, empty and deceptive pictures without a foundation in God’s promises. It shows us conversations that have never happened, failures that have never occurred, and tragedies that may never come. Before long, we may be emotionally experiencing something that has not even happened. Fear says, “God may not protect me,” “God may not come through,” or “I am on my own.” The emotion may be real, but it is fueled by a false interpretation of God’s character and care. When we agree with that interpretation, fear influences our thoughts, emotions, decisions, and words.
Paul reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV. God has not called us to live under fear’s rule. He has given us power, love, a sound mind, His Word, and His Spirit. Faith does not deny real problems. It refuses to believe they are greater than God’s presence, power, protection, and goodness. Feeling afraid does not mean God has abandoned you, and feeling anxious does not mean disaster is coming. Fear wants emotions to function as prophecy, but the Holy Spirit leads us by truth.
We must guard not only what we imagine but also what we continually speak. Fear that fills the imagination eventually seeks a voice through our mouths. Statements such as “Nothing ever works for me,” “Something bad is going to happen,” or “I will probably lose everything” can reinforce fear’s influence and shape our choices. Scripture says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21 NKJV. Our words do not independently create reality, but they reveal and reinforce what we are agreeing with. We do not want our mouths continually agreeing with fear while asking God to establish His Kingdom in our lives.
Joshua and Caleb saw the same giants as the other ten spies, but they refused to allow those giants to become larger in their imagination than the God who had promised them the land. David saw the same Goliath as everyone else, yet he saw a God too great to lose. The difference was the picture dominating their hearts and the words coming from their mouths.
We should become so confident in God that we develop the same attitude as the three Hebrew men standing before the fiery furnace. Nebuchadnezzar threatened them with death if they refused to bow, yet they would not allow the spirit of fear to determine their decision. They declared, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.” Daniel 3:17 NKJV. But what they said next reveals an even deeper faith: “But if not… we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:18 NKJV. Their confidence was not merely in a particular outcome. Their confidence was in God. They knew He was able to deliver them, but even if He chose not to deliver them from the furnace, they were still not going to bow. That is fearless faith. If God delivers us, we win. If He chooses not to deliver us in the way we expected, we still belong to Him and ultimately we win again. Even death could not separate those men from their God. We cannot lose for winning when our confidence is completely in Him!
You may feel afraid and still choose faith. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is refusing to let fear define God, govern your choices, or hold the brush. The three Hebrew men did not know exactly what would happen when they entered the furnace, but they knew who God was. When fear paints the worst possible outcome, ask, “What has God said? What does His Word promise? Am I viewing this situation through God’s character or fear’s interpretation?” Fear says, “What if?” Faith answers, “God is.” Instead of rehearsing everything that could go wrong, behold and speak the faithfulness of the One who remains with you. Fear does not define God or prophesy your future. Bring your thoughts, emotions, imagination, and words back into agreement with His truth, and allow His promises to paint a greater picture.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You have not given me a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind. I reject every lie that causes me to doubt Your goodness, presence, and faithfulness. Give me the fearless confidence of the three Hebrew men who refused to bow even in the face of death. Whether You deliver me the way I expect or lead me through something I never expected, my confidence remains in You. Holy Spirit, expose every vain imagination and govern my thoughts and words so that my agreement is with Your Kingdom. Amen.
Today’s God Imagination
Fear does not define God for me. I know my God is able, and my confidence remains in Him regardless of what I see. If God delivers me, I win. If He leads me through the fire, I still win. I will not bow to fear or allow it to paint my future. My thoughts, imagination, and words agree with God’s Word. I cannot lose for winning because I belong to Him!
