Fear tries to take root, when we feel the most uprooted.

I’ve always been terrified of snakes. The thought of a snake invading my walking path, just gives me the creeps.

You can ask my husband about how hysterical I become when confronted with a snake.

On a trip to a national park a few years ago, we were walking on a trail that led to a swamp area. When, out of nowhere, a snake appeared ahead, on the path we had to go through. As my husband nonchalantly walked past it, he motioned for me to come on, to walk past the snake. Ugh. I was frozen for a moment, then suddenly started jumping up and down like a crazy person. You would have thought there was a cobra ahead, coiled up and waiting on me. The fear had me uprooted, so fearful that I wasn’t thinking straight.

We’ve all experienced fear. It’s a part of life; albeit not a pleasant part to experience at times.

But, as a Christian, fear should be a passive, short-lived emotion. If you’re afraid of getting cancer, even though you have no family history or symptoms, then that’s just satan trying to convince you of unknown fear. If you’re afraid of an oncoming dog that’s getting ready to attack you, then you have all right to be fearful.

But, fear of the future, shouldn’t be a thing with those who are a Christian. We are to cast our cares to God; He will carry our fears and burdens. He’s already planned our future with Him in eternity.

Don’t let fear paralyze you, or get so ingrained in your thoughts, that you can’t do anything. Fear can grow into anxiety, even depression if you let it.

Fear will knock you off course. Allow God to help you to overcome it, by stopping it at its inception.

The rest of the snake story turned out good. I was able to finally calm down enough to walk past the snake and go on my way. I conquered the fear that day, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen again.

Always be on guard for the devil’s schemes. He loves to take us off guard and make us feel hopeless and fearful.

Trust God to help you overcome fear, no matter what it is you’re fearful of.

Stay grounded in God’s truth.

2 Timothy 1:7 - “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”