No Fear

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

DURING THE YEARS spent raising a child, we can find plenty of things to be afraid of: germ-ridden shopping carts, raunchy cartoons, trampolines, sleepovers, the Internet, the public school system, alcohol and drugs, the influence of questionable friends, outdoor adventures . . . and then there’s college. But our fears aren’t limited to what might happen to or in our child. We fear losing the respect or control of our children along the way. We fear that the weaknesses in our parenting may impact our kids in ways that will be difficult for them to overcome.

What are we to do with all of these very real fears? The reality is that we live in a broken world where really bad things do happen. Sin has broken this world and distorted it, leaving much that is beyond our control. We can’t avoid fearful feelings. But can we avoid giving in to fear, being filled with fear, and being controlled by fear?

When we find ourselves gazing into the future and beginning to fill with anxiety, we must turn our gaze to Christ. Then we must take hold of his love and mercy, his sovereignty and sufficiency. Instead of giving in to fear, we must ask God for the faith to trust him to provide the needed grace for whatever we’re facing in the present and whatever may come in the future.

Lord, when we sense that fear is doing its best to squeeze out faith, help us to see that our fear is not from you. As your Spirit works in our lives and in our family, we have the spiritual power we need to put our trust in you rather than give ourselves over to fear. We can love without manipulation and control. We can discipline ourselves to parent ________ out of a confident hope in your sovereign and saving grace —for ________ and for us.