Fear Not

I have been majorly dealing with fear during this whole adoption process. It has been totally taking away my joy. I've been worrying about whether Abby will like me, I've been worrying about how long it will take her to bond with me--or whether she ever will. I've been worrying about whether we actually heard from God about doing this adoption in the first place. I've been worrying about how we will pay for everything. It has been awful.

So earlier this week I began looking up "fear not" verses and have been working on the project for a few days. There are lots of them but here are some of my favorites.

Deuteronomy 31:7,8 Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them . . . The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

II Chronicles 20:15-17 Listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's . . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 5: 3-4 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, In God, whose word I praise, In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

Isaiah 41: 10 So do not fear, for I (God) am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43: 1-2 . . . Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 54: 1-4 Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child, burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman . . . Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left . . . Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

Luke 12:22-34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! . . . . Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! Your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

II Timothy 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

I John 4:18 Perfect loves casts out all fear.