Overcoming Fear
Romans 5:20
Fear is common to all of us in one form or the other. Some are afraid of the dark, some are afraid for their finances, others have a continual fear of man and the list goes on and on as to the myriad of options the hold many Christian captive. 1 Cor.10:13 is such a comforting verse “…”. 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 as an example we can identify the cycle of fear that we all experience.
1. 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” question that pose real consequences that will result if our presuppositions hold true.
2. 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.
3. Result Peter began to sink. We all fail in our Christian life. When we do fil it makes us reluctant to try again and this 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.
4. Return Peter cried out “Lord save me!” In Mark 4:40, Jesus asks “why are you so afraid, do you still have no faith?” Verbalizing our need for Jesus is so important.
5. Recovery Peter reaches out his hand and trusts Jesus. The key is admitting that we have this fear and receiving from the lord himself the deliverance from these fears.
When I was a young believer someone told me “he who worries does not trust, he who trusts does not worry”
