Fears Keep You Trapped—but There’s Help!
By Rick Warren
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 (NLT)
Many people hide their fears because they think, “No one would understand what I’m going through.” But that kind of thinking keeps you stuck. And “stuck” is right where Satan wants you to be. So he uses your fears to trap you and keep you from asking for help from God and from other believers.
There are three fears Satan uses to keep you trapped.
First, there’s the fear of your own emotions. You might think, “If I face this issue—this hurt, memory, or sin—I won’t be able to handle the emotions. I might fall apart, lose control, or even struggle with my mental health.”
Let me reassure you: At some point, just about everyone fears not being able to handle strong emotions. But you can—especially with God’s help and the support of fellow believers. We all are in this life together—so we can stop pretending we have it all together when we don’t and, instead, rely on each other for support.
Second, there’s the fear of how others will react. You might think, “If I’m honest, people will judge me, reject me, or abandon me. It’s scary because, if I reveal who I really am, and you don’t like it, I’ve got nothing left.” But you don’t need to fear rejection or disapproval. Remember, as Romans 8:31 teaches, God is for you. And when you’re honest with others, that often helps them relate to your struggles and, in turn, deepens your relationship.
Third, there’s the fear that honesty won’t help. You might think, “What’s the point? Why share? It won’t change anything.” But here’s the truth: God promises healing when we confess. James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults to one another and pray for each other so you may be healed” (NLT). God isn’t a liar. If you’ve never found freedom, it’s because you’ve never been fully honest. Healing starts with humility and confession.
So, how bad does it have to get before you ask for help? Pain is often the acid that eats through the walls of denial. If you’re at the end of your rope, congratulations—that’s the best place for change to begin. Remember, Christ died to give you grace, and grace is the power to change. Now is the time to take the first step.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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