Facing Fear? Change Your Focus
By Rick Warren

“Those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children. For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God’s children, and by the Spirit’s power we cry out to God, ‘Father! my Father!’ God’s Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16 (GNT)

When I was a kid, I didn’t get scared often. I played fearlessly. But whenever I did get scared, I always cried out to my dad. I knew I could depend on him. He was strong, and he could take on anyone. 

That’s what you and I are called to do when we’re scared, too: Call out to our Father for help.

Stop focusing on your fear. Focus on God your Father instead. Ask him for help! Romans 8:14-16 says, “Those who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s children. For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God’s children, and by the Spirit’s power we cry out to God, ‘Father! my Father!’ God’s Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God’s children” (GNT).

The antidote to fear is the truth that you are no longer a slave but a child of God. Being a child of God changes everything. You’re part of a family now. And families take care of one another. 

Let’s say you grew up in a big city, and your family was a part of the family—the Mafia. And, as a kid, someone starts to assault you. You could say, “Wait just a minute! Do you know who I am? My father is Guido. Are you sure you want to touch me? Because I’m in the family.”  

That’s what God wants you to know when you’re scared. You’re part of his family, and he takes care of his children. He has your back. And he has all the power in the world—all the power you’ll need to face whatever makes you afraid. 

Knowing you’re a child of the Creator of the universe changes everything. 

When you’re afraid, you need to be reminded of who you are and the family you belong to. With the Holy Spirit’s help, all you have to do is call out to your Father. You can depend on him!

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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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