THE UPPER ROOM ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 30th January 2023 by Cheryl Esper Balcom (Michigan, USA)
As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)
TOPIC: Free from Fear
TODAY’S READING
John 8:31
KEY VERSE: You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. – John 8:32 (NRSV)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 30th January 2023 MESSAGE
I cried for the first five years of my daughter’s life. She had been alive for only eight months when she was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by growth delays. Though not life-threatening, the disorder can manifest in a spectrum of symptoms that range in severity. Her unknown future was extremely frightening for me.
At first, I let my fears overwhelm me. Lies and assumptions took root in my mind and grew ferociously. Our new reality was choking me even though I claimed to trust God. Finally, a Bible study at church showed me how to counteract my fears with the truth of God’s word. I listed all the lies I had been listening to and then replaced them with the truth. For example, when I wrote, “The future is too overwhelming to think about,” God led me to Jeremiah 29:11. Or when I worried that I wouldn’t be able to be a good enough parent, this fear was answered by 2 Corinthians 12:9.
As I meditated on these truths, my fears diminished. As I continued to study more of the Bible, God’s word gave me not only freedom from fear but also perspective and hope. We don’t have to let fear consume us. When we put our fears into words, God’s word answers us with truth and hope.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, by your grace open our eyes to what is true. Give us hope as we look to the future. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God’s truth can free me from fear.
PRAYER FOCUS
Children with rare genetic disorders
The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More