Psychologists have discovered something like 645 different known fears that people can have. Fear is a universal problem — and it takes away our joy. But here’s the good news: We don’t have to be afraid. We have God on our side! “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31 NLT)

With God on our side, we don’t need anything else. God plus one equals a majority. What’s your greatest fear? Is it embarrassment? Losing your mind? Failure? Rejection? Disappointing others? Not fitting in? Satan uses all of these fears to rob us of joy. He knows what will make us joyful, so he creates a fear to oppose it. For instance, Satan knows doing what’s right will always bring us joy. So he makes us afraid of what other people will think if we do the right thing. He makes us worry more about our popularity than pleasing God. Satan also knows that one of the greatest sources of joy in life is when you share your testimony. So he makes us weary or doubtful or afraid to share.

WE don’t need the approval of others to find joy. WE need to live for an audience of one: God. That’s Jesus’ path to complete and total joy. He said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NIV). WE can have joy in life, knowing that God is for US. Fear not!