Face Your Fears

Daily Devotional

Genesis 33:3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

A little bit of fear is normal. In fact, fear helps you instinctively protect yourself from harm. Your fear might help you to recognize when you’re about to do something dangerous, and it could help you to make a safer choice.

But, you might find yourself fearful of things that aren’t actually dangerous, like public speaking. Your fear of public speaking might prevent you from advancing in your career or participating in traditions like giving a toast at your best friend’s wedding. If you really want to go on a vacation to Europe, but your fear of flying gives you pause, you might feel like your fear is stopping you from living your dream. If you find that your fear holds you back or creates bigger problems in your life, facing your fear may help you learn to better cope with the fear and ultimately overcome it.

Face your fears; you can only conquer what you confront. Jacob would have wronged his brother Esau by taking away his blessing. In fear of his brother killing him he was sent away by his parents to Laban’s house where he ultimately married Laban’s two daughters. After being instructed by God to return to the land of Canaan, he now had to face his fear. He would have to confront his brother Esau and this made him very afraid, so he did 3 things: a) he prayed; b) he sent before him a peace offering of over 200 she goats and other animals to his brother; and, c) he honoured Esau by bowing down to him seven times when he saw him.  In response Esau greeted him gladly and the relationship with his brother was restored. Your fears exist to keep you away from something you desire; do not allow them to linger, confront them quickly.

Life Application:  Identify your fears and list ways in which you will overcome them

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to face my fears instead of running from them. You have declared that you have not given me a spirit of fear, but of love and of power and a sound mind. Help me to rest on the fact that nothing is i possible with you. In Jesus name, amen.