Fear comes in many forms, including panic, dread, and worry. Ultimately, fear is a lack of trust in God. Anxiety is a preoccupation with unimportant things and a false reasoning that if those things are resolved, life will be great. You may find yourself falling into this trap when you say things such as, “If only I had ‘x’ number of dollars, I would finally have peace.”

Spiritually, fear can drive you away from God. And anxiety may cause you to do one of two things: You may either spin your wheels, trying to achieve what you feel is lacking, or begin doubting God’s love for you.

Ironically, sometimes our fear actually brings about the thing we fear the most. We fear rejection, so we avoid taking the risk of reaching out to others. We then become isolated, which causes us to appear arrogant, so that others begin to avoid us. Thus our fear brings about the rejection that we feared in the beginning.

When we let our fears and anxieties dominate our emotions and behaviors, peace will seem out of reach. This will remain true as long as we seek peace in our own strength. Psalm 29:11 says, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Where do you seek peace? In striving for perfect, conflict-free relationships? In knowing you have more money than you could possibly need? In feeling accepted by those around you? Peace can only come from God’s righteousness working within us, for He alone is constant and unchanging. He will never fail to do what He has promised. So, no person can have peace apart from a daily filling of the Spirit of God, who gives us eyes to see and believe these Truths.

Prayer: God, forgive me for being afraid of life circumstances as a result of not trusting You. I pray that Your Spirit will fill me with peace today and that I would not allow fear and anxiety to dominate my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series Freedom from Fear: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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