"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." Psalm 34:7 (NIV)

A few years ago, one of my back teeth started hurting. It wasn't the first time that tooth had given me trouble, and quite honestly, I just didn't want to deal with it. That tooth had been a complete pain. Literally.

I'd had not one, not two, but three crowns done on the same tooth. The first one broke. The second one broke. And though the third one seemed like it would finally work, the tooth started aching again. Ugh!

The dentist informed me the only thing to do was to have a root canal.

I'm okay with the word "root." And I'm okay with the word "canal." But when he put those two words together a wild fear whipped its tentacles around my heart and squeezed the life out of me. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't bring myself to schedule the appointment.

So I dealt with the throbbing pain.

For a year, I didn't chew on that side of my mouth. I didn't let cold drinks leak over to that side. And I took ibuprofen when the throbbing got the best of me.

A year!

Finally I'd had enough. The pain overrode the fear, and I made an appointment for the dreaded root canal.

And you know what? I survived! Not only did I survive, but I honestly found the whole root canal ordeal to be no big deal. The fear of it was so much worse than actually having the procedure done.

I think fear often plays out that way. Sometimes living in fear of what might be causes more stress and anxiety than actually facing what we fear. Is there something you're avoiding because you're afraid?

Psalm 34:7 reminds me,"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."To fear the Lord means to honor Him and magnify Him in my heart most of all. When I focus on or magnify my fears, they become all I can think about. So instead I've learned to focus on God by doing three things:

• I cry out to Him with honest prayers. I verbalize to God what I'm afraid of and how paralyzing my fear is. I ask Him to help me see if this fear is a warning or an unnecessary worry. And then I ask Him to help me know the next step to take.



• I open my Bible and look for verses that show me what He wants me to do in that moment of fear. I write down truths from the Bible about fear and then align my next thoughts and actions with His truth.



• I then walk in the assurance that I am fearing (honoring) the Lord as Psalm 34:7 tells me to, therefore I know with certainty an angel of the Lord is encamped around me, and God will deliver me.

I like this promise so much. It comforts me. It reassures me. And it challenges me to really live like I know it is true.

What's a fear you can face today? Think of an everyday fear holding you back. Is there a fear of confronting an issue with a friend? Is there a fear of stepping out in obedience to something God is calling you to do? Is there a fear of a medical diagnosis you just received?

Oh, if I were there, I would totally hold your hand. Better yet, God is with you. And when you know He is with you and His angels are encamped around you, you can face your fears.

Dear Lord, if a feeling of fear is a legitimate warning from You, help me to know that. But if this feeling of fear is more of a distracting detriment, help me be courageous and walk assured in Your presence. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I 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." (NIV)

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

RELATED RESOURCES:

Are you struggling to completely uproot fear from your life? Find the Biblical encouragement you need to stop those toxic thoughts from consuming you with the Proverbs 31 Ministries' 30-Day Devotional: Overcoming Fear. Click here to get your copy today for a gift of any amount.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What fear currently has you feeling paralyzed? Take that fear today and walk through the 3 steps Lysa shared in her devotion - taking it to God honestly in prayer, searching for verses about fear and then moving forward clinging to the hope and truth of Psalm 34:7.

Do you have a friend who's battling fear? Take some time today to pray for her and actively encourage her.

© 2016 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.