Handling Fear and Anxiety in this Uncertain 2023

Let's start with the promises of God:

One of the verses that I quoted often in my times of fear and anxiety is 2 Timothy 1:7

NLT: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
NIV: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

KJV: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

I like KJV's version best. In panic mode, we can't think and may lose our minds. It is great that God had given us a Sound Mind. We maintain our sanity.

In the Old Testament, we have Isaiah 41:10

NKJV:

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

God gives us 5 assurances and reasons that we should fear not.
It is God who will be working or fighting for us.

We do not have to depend on ourselves, especially when we think we have no strength and no ability at all. It is all God helping us. The ever-faithful God is helping us.

What then should be our response?

The answer is in Isaiah 12:2

NKJV: 

Behold, God is my salvation, 

I will trust and not be afraid;
'For YAH, the LORD is my strength and song;
He also has become my salvation.

It begins with knowing who God is. God is my salvation, my rescuer, my savior.

We are then to TRUST God.
And then we will not be Afraid.

We shift our focus from the problem, from our weaknesses and inability, to focus on God and trust God. We are to proclaim when God had promised in Isa 41:10, we know repeat what God had said to us, and so we said, "The Lord is my strength and song, and He is my salvation." We repeat until we feel calmness and peace. 

Prayers:

May we acknowledge God's promises to us, trust and repeat what God said to our spirit and mind until we have the peace of God. May God give you this peace whenever you are fearful and anxious. In Jesus' name, amen.

Lim Liat (c) 12 Jan 2023

Additional verses for your encouragement:

Isaiah 40:29 NKJV

He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might, He increases strength.

Deu 31:8 NKJV
And the LORD,
He is the One who goes before you.
He will be with you,
He will not leave you nor forsake you;
do not fear nor be dismayed.

Isaiah 45:2 NKJV

'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.

Isaiah 52:12 NKJV

For you shall not go out with haste,

Nor go by flight;

For the Lord will go before you,

And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.