How to Overcome Fear
Fear is common to all of us in one form or the other. We each experience fear in different areas such as: fear of man, fear for the future, fear for personal safety, some are afraid of the dark, some are afraid for their finances, and the list goes on and on as to the myriad of options that hold many Christian captive. 1 Cor.10:13 is such a comforting verse: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it." 1 Tim 1:7 says that fear does not come from God. The evil one is the author of fear. He is the intimidator (1 Peter 5:8). Every opportunity to fear is also an opportunity to trust God and move into courage by faith (trusting Him to work). Using Peter's experience of walking on the water in Matthew 14:25-33 as an example we can identify the cycle of fear that we all experience.
Reality:
Peter saw the wind. There is a sense of truth in our fears. In each of our lives we see the possibility of disaster, or ruin in our fear. We ask ourselves "what if" questions that pose real consequences which could happen if our presuppositions hold true. For example, reality is that there are children who are kidnapped from their yard, however, it does not mean that we are to be fearful for our child's safety and never allow them to play outside.
Response:
Peter became afraid just like the other disciples in the boat. He thought Jesus was a ghost. He forgot the promises and focused on the present. He began to listen to other disciples and entered into his own human reasoning. Had we listened to many others when we made our decision to leave the security of the pastorate and travel on the road with our girls, we would have never stepped out in faith and experienced the joy of our ministry today. "Though none go with me, I still will follow".
Result:
Peter began to sink. We all fail in our Christian life. When we fail it makes us reluctant to try again which limits our experiences to see the Lord do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can imagine. Failure is a continual reminder of overwhelming need for a moment-by-moment empowering with Holy Spirit. I am reminded of the words to the popular Christian song which says, "We fall down, we get up, we fall down, we get up, we fall down, we get up, and a saint is just a sinner who falls down and gets up."
Return:
In Matthew 14:30, Peter cried out "Lord save me!" Jesus asks "why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith?" Verbalizing our need for Jesus is so important. Fear is the opposite of faith. Fear comes naturally. Faith comes supernaturally.
Recovery:
Peter reached out his hand and trusted Jesus. The key is admitting that we have this fear and receiving from the Lord himself the deliverance from these fears. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" Hebrews 12:2.
When I was a young believer someone told me "he who worries does not trust, he who trusts does not worry". When I am fearful I am saying, "God, I'm not sure you can handle this." 2 Corinthians 4:18 instructs us to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
