for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

The enemy often tries to control God’s children with fear. An article in psychology today lists five basic fears:

1. Fear of extinction , of no longer existing, death falls into this category
2. Fear of mutilation losing a part of our body’s, animal fears fall into this category
3. Loss of autonomy, fear of restriction beyond our control, claustrophobia and social anxieties fit here
4. Separation, abandonment, rejection, loss of connectedness
5. Ego death, humiliation, shame, loss of integrity

As I wrote these out, I immediately thought that is why perfect love, God, cast out all fear.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.1 John 4:18

God overcame death.

and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 2 Timothy 1:10

He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
    and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
    for the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 25:8

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Hebrews 2:14

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelations 21:4

“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

There is healing available by God through Jesus Christ.

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Jeremiah 17:14

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

There is freedom in Christ.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.John 8:36

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

With God we are never alone, we are accepted and chosen.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you. Psalm 139:7-12

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16

In Him, we have no shame to bear.

Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. Isaiah 61:7

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:11

We can stand in His power regardless of what we face. Stand and has perfect love and the fruit of self control. His spirit that keeps us from fear. It is though His power that we can overcome every fear.

Lord I may not walk in constant fear or anxiety but there are times that my mind starts to fear loss of autonomy, separation, and ego death. I’ve allowed those fears to control my spirit instead of walking in your power, love and self-control. Help me to remember You have already overcome every fear so that I can do all You have planned and purposed for me.