Don't Panic

The first definition that pops up when you Google the meaning of the term, 'don't panic' is a sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable thought and action.

Ask yourself how many times you have found out about something that made you panic. Or maybe you saw something happen that did the same thing. That sudden feeling of fear can cause us to miss out on so many things in life.

Fear; one of the devil’s most popular weapons that he uses against us. Panic, worry, anxiety, fear…can overwhelm us with a thick shadow of darkness, controlling our every decision and move we make. With so many crazy things going on all around us today - wars, conflicts, persecution, violence, crime, natural disasters, terrorism, economic uncertainty, unemployment, divisions, disease, death - fear and panic are pretty predictable weapons used against us.

We fear for our children’s future, we fear for our families, we fear for our financial future, we fear for our safety. The list goes on and on. There actually is a lot we could potentially worry about.

The bible is packed with so many scriptures that give us amazing instruction about panic and fear. In fact, you can find them in both the Old and New Testaments and should serve us well to read them, memorize them, and live them. I know, I know. You may be thinking, "Hey! I don't need to be preached at." I get it. But as a follower of Jesus, we learn that the bible we read is the very life of Jesus Himself. (HINT: The word became flesh..)

The long and short of it in each of these verses is don't fear! To encourage you, here are a few verses each of us should have taped to our bathroom mirrors or pinned to our car visors. These will bring life to you!

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Philippians 4:6,7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 56:3 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid."

1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

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

Joshua 1:9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Matthew 6:34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.

So when that next thing happens in your life or somewhere else in the world, don't panic. God's got this!