FACING
OUR
FEARS
“For God has NOT given us a spirit of fear,
But of power and of love
And of a sound mind.”
(2 Timothy 1:7)
“FAITH YOUR FEARS!”
The Bible warns worldly fears are NOT of the Holy Spirit …
“For God has NOT given us a spirit of fear,
But of power and of love
And of a sound mind.”
(2 Timothy 1:7)
Fear leads us away from the loving protection of God
The root of fear eats away like a worm and can produce pain, anger, jealousy, depression, neurosis, addiction, loneliness, bitterness, division, and guilt.
One of the most pressing medical issues of our day concerns the significant rise of fear, worry, and anxiety related disorders being reported among all segments of our society, including young and old, rich and poor, male and female.
God spends a LOT of time and effort teaching us and reassuring us not to fear, and instructs us on how not to fear.
It has been said God tells us 365 times in the Bible not to fear (one for every day of the year). One hundred (100) or so of these verses directly say “Do not fear” or “Fear not,” while the rest instruct us not to fear in other ways, such as …
“When I am afraid,
I will trust in You (God).
In God, whose Word I praise,
In God I trust;
I will not be afraid.”
(Psalm 56:3-4)
Do not let the fears and worries of this World enslave you!
God’s Instructions Concerning Fear, Worry, and Anxiety…
“Do NOT worry (or be anxious) about anything,
But pray about everything
With THANKSGIVING,
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding
Will guard your hearts and minds
Through Christ Jesus.” (A loving gift for all who obey)
(Philippians 4:6-7)
“Do NOT be anxious for tomorrow“
(Matthew 6:34) (Did you know this is a commandment?)
“Who of you by worrying
Can add a single hour
To his (or her) lifespan?”
(Matthew 6:27) (Worrying can’t change anything!)
“For the righteous will never be moved…
He (or she) is not afraid of bad news;
his heart is firm,
trusting in the Lord.
His heart is steady,
he will not be afraid”
(Psalm 112:6, 7-8) (It takes faith to trust in the Lord)
“We (believing Christians) are
afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed;”
(2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
When fears come (and they will), do not feel alone. For all of us will be attacked by the dark spirits of fear, worry, and anxiety. We may physically begin to feel the distress which will attempt to grip our stomachs, chests, throats, or minds.
The Bible warns at these times we must choose between …
- Embracing the ‘Fear of God’ in faith and love
- Surrendering to the Fears of this World
Embracing the Fear of God
Throughout the Bible we are instructed to “Fear the Lord.”
Great blessings are promised to all those who fear Him.
But, what IS the “Fear of the Lord?”
To have the fear of God means to fear the consequences of disobeying His Rules which were lovingly given to protect us, and not to harm us.
“The fear of the Lord
Is the beginning of Wisdom.”
(Proverbs 9:10)
“Moses said to the people,
“Do not fear, for God has come to test you,
That the fear of Him may be before you,
So that you may not sin.”
(Exodus 20:20) (Sin draws us away from God’s protection)
Remember, God gave Adam and Eve just one Rule (or Law) … and He gave it to them as a loving parent.
As He was showing Adam and Eve around the Garden He gladly told them they could play with and enjoy everything in the Garden except one thing. He then pointed out a specific tree and lovingly warned them to stay away from that Tree because its fruit was poison and they would die if they ate it.
This was just like any loving father or mother teaching and warning their kids not to put their finger in an electrical socket or drink from a poisonous insecticide bottle.
ALL of God’s Rules and Warnings are given to protect us because He loves us!!! He warns when we refuse to listen to His rules and warnings we place ourselves outside of His protection and into great danger from all that would harm us.
In Hebrew the word “disobedience” can accurately be translated “refuse to listen.”
So, rather than feeling annoyed, rebellious, or angry when hearing of God’s Rules, we should look at them as a gift which has lovingly been given to protect us and to provide us with a great peace, comfort, and security as we consider the many unknowns and difficulties which may still lie ahead.
Having a fear of the Lord is a GOOD thing!
Psalm 34 helps describe what fear of the Lord actually means and we find blessings are promised to all who will obey God’s Word which was lovingly given to protect us.
“The angel of the Lord encamps
Around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed (happy) is the man (Mankind … men and women)
Who takes refuge in Him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
For those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
But those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Come, O children, listen to Me;
I will TEACH YOU the fear of the Lord:
Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking lies and deceit.
Turn AWAY from evil,
and do good,
Seek peace and pursue it …
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil …
When the righteous (those who fear God) cry for help,
the Lord hears and delivers them
out of all their troubles.
The Lord is NEAR to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
MANY are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
(Psalm 34:7-19) (Many blessings for all who fear the Lord)
“Fear of the Lord
Is to hate evil.”
(Proverbs 8:13)
“Fear of God
Gives life, happiness,
And protection from harm”
(Proverbs 19:23)
“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways!”
(Psalm 128:1)
Surrendering to the Fear(s) of this World
This could just as easily be written as “Placing ourselves into Chains of Bondage through our fears of this World.”
What happens when we decide to allow fear, worry, and anxiety to guide and direct our lives?
What ARE people turning to as they attempt to take away the physical and emotional stress caused by worry and anxiety that can grip our stomach, chest, throat, or minds when we turn from God’s loving way of protecting us and leading us through all the fears and anxieties of this world?
Just read the reports of the rising number of anxiety driven addictions now plaguing those who turn away from placing all their faith, hope, and trust in God during times of trouble:
– Alcohol, Drunkenness
– Drugs
– Food (Overeating)
– Pornography
– The Web … or Social Media
– Socially Withdrawing (Into Music, Books, TV, etc.)
– Money … (Believing more Money will shield us from fear)
– Shopping, Spending, Gambling (Never being content)
– Lying, Deceiving (‘Deceiving’ is mixing lies with truth)
– Slander, Gossip (Believing we will look better if we make others look bad)
– Anger, Bitterness
– Sexual Immorality
– Violence
Yet, God lovingly cries out to warn us that all these things will cause our end to be much worse than our beginning.
The Bible warns we will soon become slaves to these things
Now, Consider These Things from a Practical Standpoint …
Simply compare how you feel the next morning after you have obeyed God’s Rules … or have disobeyed His Rules.
If you are disobeying God’s Rules and are doing those things listed above, consider how drained, tired, and empty you feel, while all the fears and anxieties you thought would go away are still there, only now even worse than they were before.
Yet, if you are following God’s instructions of turning to (and trusting in) Him when being attacked by those same worries, fears, or anxieties, and you are now prayerfully seeking Him and His Will in all those matters that are causing distress, you will soon find you are waking up with a renewed hope, strength, comfort, and peace that only God can bring.
God alone can equip you to face whatever lies ahead (whether moment by moment, minute by minute, hour by hour, or day by day) by knowing that God will lead (or carry) you through this difficult time, no matter how bad it gets or how long it lasts.
Go as a little child to God in prayer and sincerely ask Him to have you feel as He would have you feel inside. For our God will lovingly nurture a crushed spirit and a broken heart.
A Raging War between Our Spirit and Our Flesh
God contrasts the differences we will find in ourselves as we walk in the Spirit (with God) or in the Flesh (without God) …
Here is how walking in the Spirit (in faith and obedience) will begin to manifest and reflect itself in our lives …
“But the fruit of the SPIRIT is LOVE,
Joy,
Peace,
Patience,
Kindness,
Goodness,
Faithfulness,
Gentleness,
Self-control.
Against such there is no Law.”
(Galatians 5:22-26)
God then contrasts this with the results of ignoring His laws (and instructions) with no fear of the consequences which God clearly warns lurk in the darkness when we choose to walk away from His Word and His loving protection …
Here is how God warns turning to the Flesh (and away from His rules) will manifest and reflect itself in our lives …
“Now the works (or fruits) of the FLESH are evident,
Which are:
Adultery,
Sexual Immorality (“Porneia” … sex outside of marriage)
Uncleanness,
Lewdness,
Idolatry, (Anything that replaces God as our comforter)
Drugs, (‘Pharmakeus’… also translated ‘sorcery’/occult)
Hatred,
Contentions,
Jealousies,
Outbursts of wrath,
Selfish ambitions,
Dissensions,
Heresies, (Anything that mocks God or Jesus)
Envy,
Murders, (Gossip and Slander are called “little murders”)
Drunkenness,
Revelries, (Power of a group drawing us away from God)
and the like.”
(Galatians 5:19-21)
The Bible warns our spirit (which wants to do what is right in God’s eyes) and our flesh will continue to battle within us throughout our short lives here on Earth.
Just say, “NO!” Then trust and obey God
The Bible warns our worldly fears, worries, and anxieties rise against us from the invisible realm of spiritual darkness …
“For we do NOT wrestle against flesh and blood (human beings),
But against principalities, against powers,
Against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
Against spiritual hosts of wickedness
In the heavenly places.”
(Ephesians 6:12) (These are ranks of fallen angels/demons)
God teaches us how to defend against these attacks …
“Therefore put on the full armor of God,
So that when the day of evil comes,
You may be able to stand your ground,
And after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then,
With the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
With the breastplate of righteousness in place,
And with your feet fitted with the readiness
That comes from the Gospel of peace.
In addition to all this,
Take up the shield of faith,
With which you can extinguish
All the flaming arrows of the Evil One (Satan).
Take the helmet of salvation
And the sword of the Spirit,
Which is the WORD of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
With all kinds of prayers and requests.”
(Ephesians 6:13-18)
“Do not fear those who kill the body
But cannot kill the soul.
Rather fear Him who can destroy
both soul and body in Hell.”
(Matthew 10:28)
Do not feel alone in your, fears, worries, and anxieties!
Our fears can sometimes arise from a single blow like a sledge hammer or an unseen “assassin’s mace.” Or, our fears may accumulate from a number of smaller things coming from different directions like “death from 10,000 paper cuts.”
Yet, the Bible tells us that no temptation will overtake us that is not common to all men and women …
“No temptation (trial or test) has overtaken you
That is not common to Man (all men and women).
God is faithful,
And He will not let you be tempted (or tested)
Beyond your ability,
But with the temptation (or test)
He will also provide the way of escape,
That you may be able to endure it.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
In the book of Psalms we find God helps prepare us …
The book of Psalms contains many examples of the fears and distress that will fall upon all Mankind, such as …
“Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.”
(Psalm 25:16)
“The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses.”
(Psalm 25:17)
“Have mercy on me, O Lord,
For I am in trouble;
My eye wastes away with grief”
(Psalm 31:9)
The Psalms also provide us with the tools and weapons we need to deliver us from these dark attacks of fear and anxiety.
“Wait for the Lord;
Be strong,
And let your heart take courage;
Wait for the Lord!”
(Psalm 27:14)
“Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.”
(Psalm 31:24)
“Rest in the Lord,
And wait patiently for Him”
(Psalm 37:7)
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me
And delivered me from all my fears.”
(Psalm 34:4)
And One Day When It’s All Over and Behind Us …
“Blessed be the Lord!
For He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
In Him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
My heart exults,
And with my song I give thanks to Him.”
(Psalm 28:6-7)
“BLESSED (happy)
Is everyone
Who fears the Lord,
Who walks in His ways!”
(Psalm 128:1)
God’s Instructions are Easy to Remember …
God’s instructions on how to overcome the fears, distress, afflictions, and suffering in this life as found in the Psalms and all throughout the Bible are simple and straight forward:
- Place Your Faith (and Love) in God
- Fear God (by simply trying to Obey Him) and You Will Be Blessed
- Place Your Hope in God
- Place Your Trust in God
- Then Wait for God
The “waiting” is the most difficult because the enemy (Satan) uses this waiting time to attack our faith, while God uses these hours, days, weeks, months, or years to test our faith!
God has lovingly given all Mankind His rules to live by in order to protect us and to save us from harm. He clearly warns there is a great danger from a powerful and invisible enemy “crouched at the door” waiting for those who will ignore, reject, or be led away from God’s Rules.
Yet, with outstretched arms and with tears of joy God is always waiting to welcome us home in order to heal and comfort us after we have wandered and have painfully discovered the truth and safety found in His loving words.
Don’t feel embarrassed to fear, love, trust, or obey the Lord, for it pleases the Lord, and someday you will see how lovingly He blessed you by leading and carrying you through all of your difficult times of fear, anxiety, stress, and trouble.
“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
Until these calamities have passed by.”
(Psalm 57:1)
Jesus Christ is our Hope …
Although there are times we may feel alone and abandoned, He will never forsake you or leave you.
The Bible says the true child of God will find suffering in this life. Each of us will have our faith tested.
Jesus waits for us to ask Him into our lives to help, to strengthen, to comfort, and to heal. He lovingly wraps His arms around the lonely and the brokenhearted. Jesus will never cast away or turn away any man or woman that willingly comes to Him, regardless of how young or how old, or how good or how bad. Any and all who come to Him with a sincere and humbled heart are welcomed with open arms. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Jesus is God. He now prepares our place in Heaven where there will be no fear, no worries, no pain, no heartbreak, and no tears. He will see you through these difficult times … Trust in Him!!!
Grace and Shalom
For God’s loving assurance of life in Heaven … God’s Promise >>>
And, to help lead you and guide you along the way … God’s Wisdom >>