WEEK 3 DAY 1
When Fear Hijacks Your Life
Devotional
Have you ever noticed how different you become when you're exhausted? Maybe you've snapped at someone you love, or found yourself spiraling into worry about things that normally wouldn't bother you. When we're running on empty, fear has a way of slipping in through the cracks of our defenses. Fear is incredibly opportunistic. It waits for moments when our guard is down, when we're tired, stressed, or overwhelmed. In these vulnerable moments, it whispers lies that feel surprisingly convincing: 'This problem will never end,' 'Everyone is judging you,' 'You're completely alone in this struggle.' The truth is, we live in the most comfortable era in human history, yet we're more anxious than any generation before us. A simple scroll through social media can present us with twenty different fears in just minutes. We're afraid of things our grandparents never even knew existed. But here's what we need to remember: fear was never meant to be our master. It entered the world when sin broke our perfect relationship with God, and it's been trying to steal our peace ever since. When Adam first experienced fear, he hid from the very God who loved him most. Today, you might be facing circumstances that feel overwhelming. Your fear might feel justified, even necessary. But remember that fear's primary goal isn't to protect you - it's to control you. It wants to evict peace and joy from your life and set up permanent residence instead. You don't have to let fear win today. You have a choice in how you respond to the anxious thoughts swirling in your mind.
Bible Verse
'So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."' - Genesis 3:10
Reflection Question
What specific fears tend to surface when you're physically or emotionally exhausted, and how might these fears be trying to control rather than protect you?
Quote
Fear can hijack your life and destroy your peace and joy, especially when you are dangerously tired.
Prayer
Father, I confess that fear has been trying to hijack my life, especially when I'm tired and vulnerable. Help me recognize when fear is speaking lies to me. Give me the strength to choose trust over control, and peace over panic. Amen.
*This devo was developed using Sermon Shots
Have you ever noticed how different you become when you're exhausted? Maybe you've snapped at someone you love, or found yourself spiraling into worry about things that normally wouldn't bother you. When we're running on empty, fear has a way of slipping in through the cracks of our defenses. Fear is incredibly opportunistic. It waits for moments when our guard is down, when we're tired, stressed, or overwhelmed. In these vulnerable moments, it whispers lies that feel surprisingly convincing: 'This problem will never end,' 'Everyone is judging you,' 'You're completely alone in this struggle.' The truth is, we live in the most comfortable era in human history, yet we're more anxious than any generation before us. A simple scroll through social media can present us with twenty different fears in just minutes. We're afraid of things our grandparents never even knew existed. But here's what we need to remember: fear was never meant to be our master. It entered the world when sin broke our perfect relationship with God, and it's been trying to steal our peace ever since. When Adam first experienced fear, he hid from the very God who loved him most. Today, you might be facing circumstances that feel overwhelming. Your fear might feel justified, even necessary. But remember that fear's primary goal isn't to protect you - it's to control you. It wants to evict peace and joy from your life and set up permanent residence instead. You don't have to let fear win today. You have a choice in how you respond to the anxious thoughts swirling in your mind.
Bible Verse
'So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."' - Genesis 3:10
Reflection Question
What specific fears tend to surface when you're physically or emotionally exhausted, and how might these fears be trying to control rather than protect you?
Quote
Fear can hijack your life and destroy your peace and joy, especially when you are dangerously tired.
Prayer
Father, I confess that fear has been trying to hijack my life, especially when I'm tired and vulnerable. Help me recognize when fear is speaking lies to me. Give me the strength to choose trust over control, and peace over panic. Amen.
*This devo was developed using Sermon Shots