SCRIPTURE Genesis 32:11-12 O Lord, please rescue me from the hand of my brother, Esau. I am afraid that he is coming to attack me, along with my wives and children. 12 But you promised me, "I will surely treat you kindly, and I will multiply your descendants until they become as numerous as the sands along the seashore--too many to count."

OBSERVATION Jacob demonstrates the cure for the fears that we all face--he remembered what God had promised him. When we are faced with fear--when it seems our life is about to hit a brick wall, we need to remember the promises God has planted deep in our hearts and, like Jacob, realize that what we fear is not consistent with what God has promised.

APPLICATION/CONFESSION I choose, when I am anxious, to look at the promise of God rather than the fearful situations I may face. I know that God has promised, for example, to do great things through my life. When I am afraid that everything will fall apart and nothing is going to work out, I will choose to keep my eyes on what God has promised for me.

PRAYER Lord, forgive my unbelief. You have said, not only in your Word but in my heart, "I know the plans I have for you. Plans for good and not for evil--to give you a future and a hope." I will hold on to this that you have given me as a promise and not fear what happens in my life--but only with your help.