And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28
Not to Fear
We live in a world filled with challenges that can sometimes make us feel uneasy. Yet, throughout the Bible, God reassures us to not fear. In moments when life feels overwhelming, we can find comfort in His promises. God holds our lives in His hands, and His power is greater than any fear we may face. With faith, we can choose to replace fear with trust in Him.
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalms 23:4
1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” – 1 John 4:18
Not to Worry
Worrying is something we all experience, but as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. Jesus teaches us not to worry about our lives, what we will eat, or what we will wear. God cares for us deeply, and He knows our needs. By placing our trust in Him, we can find peace instead of anxiety, freeing ourselves from the burdens of worry.
Matthew 6:25
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Not to Lose Hope
Life can throw us many challenges, leading us into situations where we may feel hopeless. However, as believers, we are reminded that our hope is anchored in Christ. We stand firm in our faith, knowing that God’s plans for us are good. His promises assure us that even in the darkest times, there is always a reason to hope, helping us to persevere in our faith and trust in His goodness.
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 42:11
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Not to Sin
As we navigate our daily lives, we are often challenged by temptations that lead us away from our faith. God’s word provides us with guidance on how to resist sin and live a life pleasing to Him. It is our choice to turn away from sin and instead pursue righteousness. By leaning on God, we can find the strength to resist temptation, living in true obedience to His will.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Romans 6:12
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” – Romans 6:12
Galatians 5:16
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
1 John 2:1
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” – 1 John 2:1
Not to Doubt
Doubt can often creep into our hearts, especially when we face difficulties or experience unanswered prayers. Yet, God calls us to have faith and trust in Him. When we face uncertainty, we can remember God’s faithfulness in our past. By focusing on His promises, we can combat doubt with courage and assurance, trusting in His love and guidance through every situation.
James 1:6
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6
Mark 11:23
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” – Mark 11:23
Romans 4:20
“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.” – Romans 4:20
Psalms 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalms 27:14
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Not to Forsake God
Our relationship with God is paramount in our lives. We are encouraged never to forsake Him, regardless of our circumstances. God desires for us to stay close to Him, especially in difficult times. He is always ready to welcome us back when we stray. By prioritizing our faith, we can experience His love and guidance in our lives. Staying connected to God allows our faith to grow stronger and our lives to be fulfilling.
Hebrews 13:5
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” – Hebrews 13:5
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
Psalms 9:10
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” – Psalms 9:10
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” – Isaiah 49:15
Philippians 1:6
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these important aspects of our Christian walk, we are reminded to not fear, worry, or lose hope. It’s essential that we don’t allow doubt or sin to take root in our lives, and we should never forsake our relationship with God. Each theme reinforces our understanding that we have God on our side, working for our good. We must embrace His promises and choose to trust Him fully, understanding that He will guide us every step of the way.
Life can be challenging, but with faith and commitment, we can face it all. My friends, let’s encourage one another to embrace these lessons. Together, we can support each other in our faith journeys and remind ourselves of God’s love and faithfulness. If you are seeking encouragement, I invite you to read more about forsaking God or even forsaking family.
May we continue to grow in our faith and trust that God is always with us, guiding us to live a life of purpose and joy.