Overcoming Fear: Finding Refuge in God's Embrace

Devotional

Day 1: Fear is a Natural Response but Shouldn't Dominate Our Lives

Fear is a natural response designed to protect us, but living in a constant state of fear can lead to serious physical and emotional issues. High levels of cortisol and adrenaline, which are released when we are in a state of fear, can weaken our immune systems, disrupt our sleep, and cause chronic exhaustion. God tells us 365 times in the Bible to "fear not," offering us daily reassurance that He is with us and we don't need to live in constant anxiety. This divine reminder is a testament to God's understanding of our human condition and His desire for us to live in peace and trust in Him.

God's message to us is clear: "Fear not." This phrase appears 365 times in the Bible, one for each day of the year, reminding us that God is not silent on the topic of fear. He understands our fears and anxieties and offers us a place of refuge. Psalm 32:7-9 tells us that God is our hiding place, preserving us from trouble and surrounding us with shouts of deliverance. He wants us to come to Him with our fears, not to hide them or pretend they don't exist. [34:59]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: What is one specific fear or anxiety that you are currently struggling with? How can you bring this fear to God today and trust in His promise to be with you and uphold you?

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Day 2: God is Our Hiding Place

When we are afraid, we often seek instant gratification or hide our true selves. Psalm 32:7-9 reminds us that God wants to be our hiding place, preserving us from trouble and surrounding us with deliverance. We should come to Him as we are, broken and messy, rather than trying to present a false, well-put-together version of ourselves. God’s love and protection are not conditional on our perfection; He invites us to find refuge in Him, just as we are.

In times of fear and anxiety, it is common to seek temporary relief through various means, whether it be distractions, addictions, or putting on a facade of strength. However, these solutions are fleeting and often leave us feeling more isolated and vulnerable. God offers a different kind of refuge—one that is enduring and rooted in His unwavering love and faithfulness. Psalm 32:7-9 speaks of God as our hiding place, a sanctuary where we can find true peace and deliverance. He invites us to come to Him with all our imperfections and fears, promising to preserve us from trouble and surround us with His protective embrace. [38:06]

Psalm 32:7-9 (ESV): "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

Reflection: In what ways have you been hiding your true self or seeking instant gratification to cope with fear? How can you begin to seek refuge in God instead, trusting Him with your authentic self?

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Day 3: A Genuine Relationship with God is Essential

It's not enough to have a moment of faith; we need to follow through with actions that match our beliefs. Spending quiet time with God, as Jesus did, helps us to reset and refocus. This involves worship, prayer, and delving into God's Word, inviting Him into every detail of our lives. A genuine relationship with God requires consistency and intentionality, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our daily existence.

Developing a genuine relationship with God goes beyond occasional moments of faith or sporadic acts of devotion. It requires a consistent and intentional effort to invite God into every detail of our lives. Jesus Himself modeled this by regularly spending quiet time with God, seeking to reset and refocus amidst the demands of His ministry. By dedicating time to worship, prayer, and studying God's Word, we open ourselves to His guidance and allow His presence to transform us from the inside out. This daily practice helps us align our actions with our beliefs, fostering a deeper and more authentic connection with God. [43:10]

Mark 1:35 (ESV): "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."

Reflection: How can you create a consistent routine of spending quiet time with God each day? What specific actions can you take to ensure that your relationship with Him is genuine and not just a series of isolated moments of faith?

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Day 4: Letting Go of Control

The secret to experiencing God's power is to let go of what we think we can control. Matthew 11:28 invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Jesus for rest. By saying "yes" to God's open invitation, we can learn more about His power and purpose for us. Letting go of control means trusting God with our burdens and allowing Him to guide us according to His perfect will.

Many of us struggle with the need to control various aspects of our lives, believing that our efforts and plans will lead to the desired outcomes. However, this constant striving can leave us feeling weary and burdened. Jesus offers a different way—an invitation to come to Him for rest and to relinquish our need for control. Matthew 11:28 reminds us that true rest and peace are found in surrendering to God's will and trusting in His power. By letting go of our perceived control, we open ourselves to experiencing God's guidance and purpose for our lives, which far surpasses anything we could achieve on our own. [48:00]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

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Day 5: God Does Not Shame Us for Our Problems

John 3:17 tells us that God sent His Son not to judge the world but to save it. Jesus is not afraid of our issues or struggles; He wants us to bring all our baggage to Him. Psalm 56:3 reassures us that when we are afraid, we can put our trust in God, who will wrap us in His loving embrace and teach us about His goodness every day. God’s love is unconditional, and He desires to heal and restore us, not to shame us for our imperfections.

Many people fear that their problems and struggles will lead to judgment and rejection, even from God. However, the Bible assures us that God's intention is not to shame us but to save and restore us. John 3:17 emphasizes that Jesus came into the world not to condemn it but to offer salvation. He invites us to bring all our burdens, fears, and imperfections to Him, promising to embrace us with His love and teach us about His goodness. Psalm 56:3 further reassures us that we can trust in God when we are afraid, knowing that He is always ready to support and guide us. [53:47]

Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV): "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

Reflection: What is one specific struggle or issue that you have been hesitant to bring to God? How can you take a step today to trust in His unconditional love and bring this burden to Him for healing and restoration?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Landmark Church. Today, we delved into the topic of fear and how it affects our daily lives. Fear is a natural response designed to protect us, but many of us live in a constant state of fear, anxiety, and worry, which can be detrimental to our health and well-being. We explored how living with high levels of cortisol and adrenaline can lead to various physical and emotional issues, such as weakened immune systems, sleep disruptions, and chronic exhaustion.

God's message to us is clear: "Fear not." This phrase appears 365 times in the Bible, one for each day of the year, reminding us that God is not silent on the topic of fear. He understands our fears and anxieties and offers us a place of refuge. Psalm 32:7-9 tells us that God is our hiding place, preserving us from trouble and surrounding us with shouts of deliverance. He wants us to come to Him with our fears, not to hide them or pretend they don't exist.

We also discussed the importance of having a genuine relationship with God. It's not enough to have a moment of faith; we need to follow through with actions that match our beliefs. Spending quiet time with God, as Jesus did, helps us to reset and refocus. In our alone time, we can worship, pray, and delve into God's Word, inviting Him into every detail of our lives.

Letting go of our need for control and allowing God to take the reins is crucial. Matthew 11:28 reminds us that Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest. The secret to experiencing God's power is to let go of what we think we can control and say "yes" to His open invitation to come closer and learn who He really is.

Finally, God is not here to shame us for our problems. John 3:17 tells us that God sent His Son not to judge the world but to save it. Jesus is not afraid of our issues or struggles; He wants us to bring all our baggage to Him. Psalm 56:3 reassures us that when we are afraid, we can put our trust in God. He will wrap us in His loving embrace and teach us about His goodness every day.

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Key Takeaways

1. 9 reminds us that God wants to be our hiding place, preserving us from trouble and surrounding us with deliverance. We should come to Him as we are, broken and messy, rather than trying to present a false, well-put-together version of ourselves. [38:06]
3. A Genuine Relationship with God is Essential: It's not enough to have a moment of faith; we need to follow through with actions that match our beliefs. Spending quiet time with God, as Jesus did, helps us to reset and refocus. This involves worship, prayer, and delving into God's Word, inviting Him into every detail of our lives.

4. Letting Go of Control: The secret to experiencing God's power is to let go of what we think we can control. Matthew 11:28 invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Jesus for rest. By saying "yes" to God's open invitation, we can learn more about His power and purpose for us.

5. God Does Not Shame Us for Our Problems: John 3:17 tells us that God sent His Son not to judge the world but to save it. Jesus is not afraid of our issues or struggles; He wants us to bring all our baggage to Him. Psalm 56:3 reassures us that when we are afraid, we can put our trust in God, who will wrap us in His loving embrace and teach us about His goodness every day.

### [38:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:52] - Connect Card Announcement
[22:23] - August 7th Event
[23:42] - Next Sunday’s Event
[24:43] - Women’s Event
[26:15] - September 8th Special Event
[28:06] - Greeting and Introduction
[29:25] - Teenagers and Their Impact
[29:52] - Game Time: Phobias
[31:44] - The Science of Fear
[32:48] - Daily Living in Fear
[34:59] - God’s Message: Fear Not
[37:00] - Truth About Fear: Hiding
[41:20] - Resetting with God
[45:40] - Learning God’s Purpose
[48:00] - Letting Go of Control
[52:17] - God Does Not Shame Us
[55:20] - Testimony and Response Time
[60:11] - Time of Response and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 32:7-9, what does God promise to be for us when we are in trouble? How does He support us? ([38:06])
In Matthew 11:28, what invitation does Jesus extend to those who are weary and burdened? What does He promise in return? ([47:26])
How does John 3:17 describe Jesus' mission in the world? What is the significance of this for those who feel burdened by fear and guilt? ([53:47])
The sermon mentioned that fear can lead to various physical and emotional issues. Can you list some of these issues as described in the sermon? ([33:35])

Interpretation Questions

Psalm 32:7-9 describes God as a hiding place. What does it mean for God to be our hiding place, and how can this understanding change our response to fear? ([38:06])
Reflecting on Matthew 11:28, why is it important to let go of our burdens and come to Jesus for rest? How does this act of surrender demonstrate faith? ([47:26])
John 3:17 emphasizes that Jesus came to save, not to condemn. How does this perspective help us approach God with our fears and struggles without feeling ashamed? ([53:47])
The sermon highlighted the importance of having a genuine relationship with God. How does spending quiet time with God, as Jesus did, help us reset and refocus? ([43:10])

Application Questions

Fear is a natural response but shouldn't dominate our lives. What are some practical steps you can take to reduce the constant state of fear and anxiety in your daily life? ([34:59])
God is our hiding place. When you feel afraid or anxious, what are some ways you can remind yourself to turn to God instead of seeking instant gratification or hiding your true self? ([38:06])
A genuine relationship with God involves more than just a moment of faith. How can you incorporate regular quiet time with God into your daily routine? What specific actions will you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him? ([43:10])
Letting go of control is crucial to experiencing God's power. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to relinquish control. What steps can you take to surrender this area to God and trust in His plan? ([48:00])
God does not shame us for our problems. Reflect on a time when you felt ashamed of your struggles. How can you shift your perspective to see God's love and acceptance instead of focusing on shame? ([53:47])
When you are afraid, you can put your trust in God. Think of a current fear or anxiety you are facing. How can you actively trust God with this fear, and what specific prayers or actions will help you do so? ([55:20])
The sermon mentioned the importance of inviting God into every detail of our lives. Choose one specific area of your life where you haven't fully invited God in. How will you start including Him in this area, and what changes do you expect to see? ([45:02])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Fear is something that is hardwired into our body. So if we see a bear running at us full speed in a national park, our body is going to recognize, hey, there is something running at me that might could cause me harm. Just possibly. Maybe it wants a hug. Right? And so when it sees this thing running at us, this large furry animal running at us to maybe do something that's not great." [31:09] (21 seconds) ( | | )

2. "When we conceal our fears and we refuse to let them go those issues they may be out of sight and out of mind but it means it's out of the realm of possibility to be overcome and i'm going to say that again when we conceal our fears we hide how we feel when we hide what we're dealing with from god and refuse to let go of it the very issues we're dealing with may be out of sight and out of mind but that means it's out of sight and out of the realm of possibility to be overcame to be healed to be taken care of because we don't want to bring it to life we don't want to let go so we'll drag it with us wherever we go easy pickings for the hunters." [49:19] (40 seconds) ( | | )

3. "God is not here to shame us about our problems no matter what we're doing how bad we've messed up god is not here to shame you about what you're going through and so i have a rhetorical question for you doesn't mean i want an answer right if god silenced in your mind the voice of shame the voice of guilt if he silenced it today what would god say to you if he could silence that very voice of shame in your head today what would he say to you." [52:17] (29 seconds) ( | | )

4. "God wants to do something so great for you that you're going to in your life but you got to let go of that fear you have to you need to set your feet and reset then today's the day if savannah could be bold enough to tell us that she was hurting and she's dealing with a lot of stress but she knows at the end she said a verse is that god knows this pain but at the end of it better is coming out of this she knows that she believes that if we can follow the example of a teenage girl a junior high girl and step out and find out that god is truly good and loving and not here to mess up your life like a spiteful old man then what are we waiting for are we waiting for a sign this is your sign if you're waiting for a moment this is your moment just imagine what god can do." [58:45] (58 seconds) ( | | )

5. "God is not going to shame me because i get upset or tired he's not going to shame me when i get anxious it's not who he is he's going to wrap me in his loving embrace and he's going to teach me about how good he is every day daily and now i want to share a video with you and before we share it there's a very student in our youth group that was dealing with fear stress tiredness all these things and she would bury her issues down and she tells it better than me but we've seen god do so many amazing things in her life it's only 90 seconds and she told us herself after camp she wanted to share this she wanted to share this with you i didn't make her look i'm persuasive but she said i want to do this i want to do this for the kingdom i'm a kingdom worker so check this out as long as you hold on and not give up." [55:20] (60 seconds) ( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Fear is a good thing. It keeps you alive. It makes you go into self-preservation. It's what it does. It helps you preserve your body. It takes care of you. It's not a bad thing. But that's when we're talking about a bear chasing us down. And the problem is today, many of us daily live living like we have. A bear chasing us. We live with a fear response every day. We live with high levels of adrenaline and cortisol because we just got to get to the next thing. Oh my gosh, what if this happens? Oh my gosh, this happened. What now?" [32:17] (34 seconds) ( | | )

2. "When we get afraid, we like to hide. We love that. That is our favorite thing to do. We go exactly where God wants us to go. We go exactly where we feel safe. When we get scared, we go to the very place that will hopefully give us some instant gratification. We can use smiles, sleep, isolation, social media, sports, media, whatever it is for us just to have instant gratification when we get afraid. We like to hide. We don't want to show people what's going on. But God knows this about us. God has answered this problem about us." [37:00] (35 seconds) ( | | )

3. "When we conceal our fears and we refuse to let them go those issues they may be out of sight and out of mind but it means it's out of the realm of possibility to be overcome and i'm going to say that again when we conceal our fears we hide how we feel when we hide what we're dealing with from god and refuse to let go of it the very issues we're dealing with may be out of sight and out of mind but that means it's out of sight and out of the realm of possibility to be overcame to be healed to be taken care of because we don't want to bring it to life we don't want to let go so we'll drag it with us wherever we go easy pickings for the hunters." [49:19] (40 seconds) ( | | )

4. "God is not here to shame us about our problems no matter what we're doing how bad we've messed up god is not here to shame you about what you're going through and so i have a rhetorical question for you doesn't mean i want an answer right if god silenced in your mind the voice of shame the voice of guilt if he silenced it today what would god say to you if he could silence that very voice of shame in your head today what would he say to you." [52:17] (29 seconds) ( | | )

5. "God is not going to shame me because i get upset or tired he's not going to shame me when i get anxious it's not who he is he's going to wrap me in his loving embrace and he's going to teach me about how good he is every day daily and now i want to share a video with you and before we share it there's a very student in our youth group that was dealing with fear stress tiredness all these things and she would bury her issues down and she tells it better than me but we've seen god do so many amazing things in her life it's only 90 seconds and she told us herself after camp she wanted to share this she wanted to share this with you i didn't make her look i'm persuasive but she said i want to do this i want to do this for the kingdom i'm a kingdom worker so check this out as long as you hold on and not give up." [55:20] (60 seconds) ( | | )

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