Revelation: A 28-Day Reading PlanSample

How To Overcome Your Worst Fears

Suffering can look different for each of us. Sickness, financial strain, and infertility are all unique types of suffering.

Whatever suffering comes our way, we have two options; we can run or face it head-on.

The word that Jesus speaks to the church in Smyrna is a hard one, but it raises an important question: How do we overcome our worst fears?

Sometimes God doesn’t deliver us from the trial. Instead, He saves us through it. Jesus promised His followers before the crucifixion, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In fact, the Bible tells us that Jesus Himself learned obedience by what He suffered (Hebrews 5:7-8).

Just because we’re in pain or going through a difficult season doesn’t mean we are being punished for past or present sins, or that God is against us. God uses difficult seasons to teach us important lessons and to show us new sides of His character. After all, when we are weak, we are the most aware and dependent on His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

In our suffering, God gives us things we’ve never had before because we’ve never needed them before. Let’s not miss it. Seek God, who has overcome all of our troubles, and trust Him more.

Reflect:

Are you in a difficult season of life right now? What is something that God could be teaching you through this season?

Think back to a difficult season you’ve overcome. What helped you overcome that season? What lessons did God teach you through it?

How does God want to use you to help someone you know through a difficult season right now?