2 Timothy 1:7

 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind." NKJV

Some versions of this scripture change the word "fear" to "timidity" or "cowardice".  Some change the words "sound mind" to "discipline" or "self-control".

Fear to step out in faith is not from the Lord because He does not give us fear to walk in His will.  Yes, be aware.  Yes, pray for discernment and understanding.  God has clearly promised those things if we only ask for them.

Allowing fear (not healthy boundaries and spiritual discernment) to dictate what we do or do not do can be very detrimental to our ability to walk in God's leading in our lives.

Losing Hope

When hope seems lost, we can step forward to serve and encourage:

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another...

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together..., but exhorting one another...  (exhort = encourage)

Find Hope in the promises of God's Word.

Pray for the day to come. (Psalm 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.)  

When you don't know what to pray, ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you.

    Romans 8:26 Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.  For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Don't give up, don't bail out on the Lord.  Surrender to Him.

Take care of yourself practically, spiritually.  Strengthen yourself with food, rest, worship, and praise.

Give thanks in the midst of the storm.  Philippians 4.

Lighten your load.  Ease the burden so that you can rest, be comforted, heal, and stay afloat.

When you don't understand, fall back on what you do understand.

Instead of focusing on why God has allowed something hard in your life, ask Him: what He wants you to learn from this and how He wants you to react.

1 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.