Love God Greatly-Fear & AnxietySample

READ: Romans 8:1-4

SOAP: Romans 8:1

In moments of fear or anxiety, we sometimes experience guilt for confessing our frame of mind. Well-meaning friends encourage us to have more faith, which only makes us feel worse.  Shame and frustration begin to thwart our pursuit of authenticity and peace. 

Scripture offers encouragement for when we begin to condemn our feelings of inadequacy. Paul speaks of the freedom believers have through Christ. He declares that there is no condemnation for anyone who belongs to Jesus. These are words of life and hope. God is not sitting up in the Heavenly Realm, as the Prosecutor in Chief, waiting to charge and judge us for each misstep. Out of His loving-kindness, He sent His Son, to set us free from sin and death. Therefore, we can go to Him when we feel afflicted.

How have you experienced thoughts of condemnation or shame because of a season of fear or anxiety? Were you able to use that experience to draw closer to Jesus? The Lord wants us to come to Him as we are. Jesus gave us the freedom to make that possible.

Father God, thank You for giving me the freedom to approach You because of Your grace. I praise you for Your unwavering love. Thank You for Your Son, who died on my behalf. Lord, help me see Your favor towards me when I place shame upon myself. May Your Spirit continue to guide me on the pathway to peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.