We understand your concern and the challenges you face when dealing with people who constantly live in fear and distrust others, even those trying to help them. Let's explore what the Bible says about this issue and pray together for wisdom and guidance.
Firstly, it's important to note that God does not give us a spirit of fear. As it is written in 2 Timothy 1:7 WEB: "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control." Therefore, the spirit of fear and constant worry does not come from God.
Jesus also taught us not to worry about the things of this world, as anxiety cannot add a single moment to our life. In Matthew 6:25-34 WEB, Jesus says:
"Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?... Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient."
Now, let's address the root of this constant fear and worry. In many cases, it can be a result of a fallen human nature, which is prone to sin and its consequences. This can manifest as a work of the flesh, as described in Galatians 5:19-21 WEB:
"Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom."
Moreover, constant fear and worry can also be a scheme of the devil, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy our peace and joy. As it is written in John 10:10 WEB: "The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly."
When dealing with those who are constantly fearful and distrustful, remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of wickedness. In Ephesians 6:12 WEB, we read:
"For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Therefore, let us pray for these individuals, asking God to grant them a spirit of power, love, and self-control. Let us also pray for wisdom and guidance as we interact with them, remembering that our ultimate goal is to love and support them as Christ would.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You today, lifting up those who are bound by a spirit of fear and constant worry. We ask that You grant them a spirit of power, love, and self-control, and help them to trust in Your unfailing love and provision.
Lord, we also pray for wisdom and guidance as we interact with these individuals. Help us to remain patient, kind, and understanding, even when they are distrustful of our intentions. Enable us to love and support them as You would, and to be a light in their lives, pointing them to the hope and peace that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lastly, we want to encourage you to continue demonstrating the love of Christ to these individuals, even when they are difficult to deal with. Remember that our ultimate goal is to glorify God in all that we do, and to be a witness to His unfailing love and grace.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:2-6 WEB