LOOK: Some of you may be going through a storm in life that doesn’t seem to have an end, and you’re feeling hopeless and powerless. But today the Lord has brought us an important message that we need to live by daily: “DO NOT BE AFRAID.”

Our lives will be forever changed when we choose to live FEARLESS because God is always with us and taking care of us. If every believer lived fearlessly, we would not only feel different, but we would live more empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The rationale for the above proposition is found in the content of Acts 27:
1. God cares for us by remaining sovereign in our lives. He is always in control.
2. God cares for us by placing a hedge of protection around us in the toughest storms of life.
3. God cares for us by not allowing anyone or any circumstance thwart His purpose for us.
4. God cares for us by providing for our physical needs. He is always our faithful Provider.
5. God cares for us by speaking to us in our darkest hours with words of encouragement.
6. God cares for us by giving us the endurance to get through our darkest hours.

There’s a saying in Christian circles, but I don’t know who gets credit for it: When we ask the Lord to help us in the storms of life, He will either calm the storm, or He will calm us in the midst of the storm. When our trust is in God, we will have the “peace that surpasses all human understanding that will guard our heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”

Q: What are behaviors we can exercise to move toward internalizing “Do Not Be Afraid” as the default setting of our heart and mind? [Pray DAILY; Find devotionals that focus this topic.]

Q: If you catch yourself feeling fear or anxiety, what can you do differently to live in light of this text? [Invite the Holy Spirit to help you overcome fear as soon as you become aware of it.]