Dealing With Fear
1 Timothy 1:7 Psalm 46:1-2
Fear is an issue common to all of us. Psychologists tell us that we are born with two fears: the fear of falling and loud noises. All the rest of our fears are acquired. Some we acquire from a bad experience and some from a parent or friend. I regularly learn of fears that I have never thought about. My wife is deathly afraid of a mouse. She can stand in front of a 6’1, 200 pound husband and shake her finger in his face, yet runs in fear from a mouse. I have heard of people who are afraid of storms, crowds, heights, close places, water, airplanes and the list goes on and on. A survey was conducted and 7, 000 different fears were recorded. Now, I do not want to list all of these because someone has said that when we hear of these fears we have a tendency to add them to our own list. One would think that a Christian would dispense with these fears and move on, but many Christian people I know still battle fears which paralyze them from uninhibited usefulness to the Lord. Stonewall Jackson said to one of his generals, “Never take the counsel of your fears.” The late Ann Landers said that fear was the number 1 issue that people write her concerning. We fear failure, embarrassment, responsibility, old age, death, people’s opinion and all of these hinder our walk with God and our effectiveness in the ministry.
Fear will result in the following:
- 1. Fear makes life a miserable experience. Saul is a great example, in that he feared David and loosing the throne. Because of this fear, he allowed it to consume his every thought and motive. Saul’s disobedience to God was rooted in fear. Fear consumed him and he ended up loosing the throne. Fear causes us to miss the joys of seeing God move in new and unexplored areas of service. Fear makes me just like all the other Christians I know. Content to be status quo.
- 2. Fear prevents us from doing the will of God. We make excuses like Moses in Exodus 3. We disobey God and miss out because we are asked to do something outside of our comfort zone. God continually calls me to work outside of my zone. Fear therefore renders us useless as we wallow in our past failures, fears as we find ourselves comfortable to be with others who have the same fears all the while criticizing and complaining as others serve faithfully.
- 3. Fear brings on more fears. Fear is never satisfied. It is much like lust. It continually demands more and more. Franklin Roosevelt said “there is nothing to fear except fear itself”. Peter sank when he tried to walk on the water much because he feared sinking. He needed to quit listening to Judas, Thomas and his fears and obey the word of Jesus.
How to overcome fear:
- 1. Remember that God says fear is sin! Timothy 1:7 says that God did not give you these fears. Romans 14:23 says “whatever is not of faith is sin”. Fear is the opposite of faith. It doubts God’s protection. You have acquired this from the enemy and his demons. I am convinced that the devil’s goal is to make us doubt God. Please don’t give him this pleasure.
- 2. Allow Jesus to be on the throne of your life. Your feelings are wrong most of the time. 1 Peter 3:14-15. The word of God says that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, Phil.4:13. He is always leading into uncharted territory in order to stretch our faith.
- 3. Trust God. You cannot trust God and fear because they are mutually exclusive. “Fear not”, “be not anxious” or similar phrases are mentioned 365 times: one for everyday of the year. Why? Because God knows that we have a continuous battle with fear. Proverbs 3:5-6. Since God is in control of the universe, He can handle your life.
- 4. See God as your Father who protects you. Psalm 46:1-2 tells us that God is our refuge. He is always with you, and promises to be there. Talk to Him when those fears show up. He is our hiding place for protection. (Psalm 32:7) Begin to step out in faith and walk with God. Hold His hand, He knows what He is doing. Don’t look back. This is the word of God for your life today. No more excuses. Decide today I to walk with God and not allow fears and petty excuses to hinder you from obedience to the Master
