Overcoming Fear

Overcoming Fear

1 John 4: God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them. ¹⁷ Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.

 

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Going out to play, I did not notice the door was broken, causing it to slam. “Stop slamming the door please” was the statement given to me that was easy to do. But when I was older and wanted to “sneak” back into the house after being out all night, I carefully placed the key in the door and gently opened it so it would not make any noise. I was met with “Who do you think you are?’

 

• I did not notice the door when I was doing something that was harmless.
• I did not even think about the door when I was enjoying myself the way I was expected to.
• I feared getting caught doing something I was not supposed to be doing, so I feared making noise with the door.

 

John attempted to address the fear of consequence. He started off by explaining that GOD is love. This is an important statement, because many may have focused on GOD dishing out wrath. He explained that by living a life that contains love, courage can increase and fear decrease.

 

My Observations:

• Satan wants me to live in fear, so he uses temptations that go directly against GOD to keep me wounded.
• GOD gave me HIS SON as a remedy to my sin, and by believing that I need salvation from GOD’s wrath, I can be saved from it.
• I no longer have to worry about GOD’s wrath, especially when I follow the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

Motivated by love reduces my fear. I mean, when I am motivated by something that GOD will object to, I get filled with fear. I try to handle things on my own or side with people who are fumbling through life, just like me. When things still don’t appear to be going well, my fear increases. BUT GOD has a remedy to this fear.

 

Focusing on what the HOLY SPIRIT wants me to do and say, makes me change my words and even change my motive. I may not want to do something, but I will do it, if it pleases GOD. I also may want to do something that GOD does not want me to do. So by listening to the HOLY SPIRIT, I may sigh, and leave whatever that thing is alone. I am glad GOD cares about my fears and replaces them with HIS love.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer explain that “GOD is love?”
• Have you ever thought that GOD is out to get you because of a known or unknown sin?
• Will you find the root of your fears and see if you are missing a solid relationship with GOD?
• Will you also consider overcoming any fear you may have by placing GOD’s love into your solution today?

Fear

Fear

Acts 4: ¹⁸ So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” ²¹ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. ²² For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

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After seeing the horror movie, I was a bit shaken. I drove home and traversed the seemingly longer walk from the garage to the house. It was dark. I got my keys to the house out of my pocket in preparation for a quick entry. “Boo!” said a neighbor, who jumped from out of adjoining bushes. I ran screaming, only to hear laughter.

• There have been times when I have been afraid.
• There have been times when I could rationalize why I was afraid.
• There have been times when I was so afraid that I could not think rationally.

Peter and John were threatened by the same church leaders who had JESUS killed. This intimidation would make most people cower in fear. But Peter and John had solidified who they serve, namely JESUS. They did not walk in fear.

• GOD says to me “The only healthy fear is the fear of the LORD.”
• GOD says to me “I AM your protector, and your provider.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the only salvation.”

Humans threaten life and death. BUT GOD is the only one who can fulfill it. I mean HE says “There is an appointed time for everything”, including death. Very real human threats and situations can only thwarted by GOD.

HE wants me to have healthy fear which is fear of not doing what HE says to do. HE wants me to choose HIM over anything I can grasp onto in this life. JESUS is my Savior and purpose. Whom shall I fear? I may get scared, but the spirit of fear no longer holds me.

• Are you gripped with fear that does not seem to go away?
• Are you spreading fear by calling people foolish and stating threats people face?
• Will you trade your “spirit of fear” for the “fear of the LORD” by spreading peace today?

Fear of the City

Luke 10: ¹³ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. ¹⁴ But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. ¹⁵ And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. ¹⁶ He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

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“What should I say?” were the fearful words that ran through my mind. I had never spoken to a large crowd before and this crowd was over a thousand people. When I organized my outline I felt a little better, but not for long. “What if you fail?” and “What if they don’t like what you have to say?” were questions that popped in my head as the time to speak drew closer.

• There were times when I was nervous about “my” message.
• There were times when I feared not being heard when I had to speak.
• There were times when I got nervous about being rejected.

JESUS gives a different take on HIS appointment to those HE was sending out to spread HIS loving message. HE tells HIS messengers, “Do not worry about rejection. If they reject you they reject ME and the one who sent ME.”

• GOD says to me “Go out and boldly spread MY gospel.”
• GOD says to me “Remove your fear of speaking to others about ME.”
• GOD says to me “Human rejection may happen to you , but I will be with you always.”

When GOD sends me out to speak there is no such thing as getting personally rejected. HIS loving message of salvation should be on my lips coupled with the question “Who would reject this?” BUT GOD knows the message will sometimes be rejected.

To those who do reject the loving words GOD has given me, reject HIS very being. HE wants me to be HIS ambassador. I can leave my fear of speaking about HIM at home and boldly go where HE sends me.

• Are you afraid of being rejected?
• Do you think you have too many problems to be heard?
• Will you stop thinking “you” are being rejected and take GOD’s message of love to as many people as HE sends you to today?

Protection Wherever You Go

Jeremiah 45: ² “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: ³ You said, ‘Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’ ⁴ But the Lord has told me to say to you, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. ⁵ Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the Lord, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.’”

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Graffiti laced buildings seemed to spring up the deeper I traveled towards my destination. I stared out the window at broken glass, boarded buildings and beat up bums. This was my first day of school and I had to ride public transportation. I wondered if I would make it to school alive!

• There are times when fear gets the best of me.
• There have been times where I have had to face my fears.
• There have been situations that I would never have chosen to be in.

Looking back over many situations in my life, I say to myself, “Wow, I would never do that again!” But should I really say that? I mean the situation was not ideal; in fact many situations were quite difficult. BUT GOD brought me through each one!

• GOD has protected me all of my life.
• GOD has watched over me through very scary and difficult situations.
• GOD has allowed me to escape with my life during some very tenuous times.

Praise is all I can offer GOD for my life. Whether it was a car spinning sideways on an expressway or thugs robbing me, GOD was there protecting me through every step. HE has allowed me to travel to unknown places and return unharmed. HE is where I place my trust.

• Do you need protection?
• Are you going into the unknown?
• Will you allow GOD to guide you?
• Will you ask HIM for HIS protection?

GOD’s Delight

Psalm 147: ¹⁰ His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
¹¹ the Lord delights in those who fear him,
    who put their hope in his unfailing love.

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Fear is a misconception in the circles I roam. At work, rules were developed to instill fear of insubordination. In my old neighborhood fear was used to mark a territory, though I never quite understood that. Friends and family each had their fears and so did I. Fear of failure, embarrassment, losing stuff and more held me back or made me make decisions that were not filled with passion, rather they were tentative at best.

• My fear of the world blinds me.
• My fear of people makes me tread lightly.
• My fear of failure holds me back from trying.

Fear of people, losing stuff and jobs seem healthy to most, but to GOD it is not good. The more fear I have of the long list of phobias, the dimmer my eyes become. Soon, I cannot see GOD and HIS marvelous power. HE says have no fear, yet fear HIM. Is this confusing? No!

• GOD wants me to fear straying from HIM and falling into something that is powerless.
• GOD wants me to fear using my own power rather than plugging into HIS infinite power.
• GOD wants me to fear loving money or my neighbors stuff so I can look to GOD for my provision.

GOD is love not arrogant. HE is not an oppressor who demands fear like a bully or a conqueror. GOD wants me to understand that HE IS GOD. HIS power is infinite and should not be blown off. My worship should be pointed towards HIM and not myself. The more I seek HIS face, the deeper our relationship grows. HE provides wisdom and never fails to love me.

• Are you full of harmful fear?
• What is your fear and can you write it down on paper and tear it up so you can give it to GOD?
• Will you put your full trust in GOD by asking for a tiny amount of faith to be added to you daily?

Where to go when I am afraid

Psalm 56: ³ When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
⁴     In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

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“Do not be afraid” appears in the Bible a lot. I mean it seems like when I turn another page, the statement about fear is addressed. On many occasions, I have felt fear, sometimes to the point of panic. When this happens, I run around as a chicken with a severed head. What is it about fear that is so stifling?

• I notice when I have fear, I am usually looking into the future.
• I notice when I have fear, I am usually replaying my situation over and over.
• I notice when I have fear, I am usually stuck in the past.

What is it that makes me afraid? I believe fear is the collision of my desire against GOD’s will. I mean when GOD wants me to do something and I want to do something else, our wills collide. Of course GOD will “win” but HE isn’t out to “win” He simply wants to show love to me. When I am afraid, what should I do?

• When I am afraid I will go put my trust in GOD.
• When I am afraid I will praise HIM and HIS word.
• When I am afraid I will realize mere mortals cannot do anything to me that is not ordained by GOD.

Trusting in GOD means placing all of my life into HIS hands. HE understands my needs wants and desires. HE has the right to say “No” “wait” or “yes.” My dependence should come from HIM daily. HE wants me to sit, listen and watch HIS deliverance.

• Are you afraid?
• Do you have something troubling you?
• Can you trust that GOD knows what HE is doing even in the middle of crisis?
• Will you place your dependence on GOD today?

Getting Over Fear

Psalm 34: ⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

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¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
²⁰ he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

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Scared of the mountain I went with the kids who were on the trip. I hadn’t even heard of a “bunny hill” but it seemed harmless. I went skiing with a bunch of people who couldn’t afford luxury trips and we had fun. My fear was unwarranted. I went bowling and I thought I would embarrass myself.

I didn’t know how to hold the ball and I didn’t know how to keep score. Gutter after gutter I tried to get it right. My score was a dismal 23 out of a perfect score of 300. I had a great time and went on to enjoy bowling.

• Sometimes I’m scared to get embarrassed.
• Sometimes my fear holds me back from trying.
• Sometimes I think too hard about the consequence rather than the blessing.

Fear is a very personal thing. What is easy for some is scary to me. I mean it seems so easy for people to do things I shudder to think about doing. I even had a fear of talking about GOD. I mean what if they reject “my” words?

• GOD says to me “I will deliver you from all your troubles.”
• GOD says to me “I save those who are crushed in spirit.”
• GOD says to me “I am close to the broken hearted.”
• GOD says to me “I camp angels to protect you because you fear ME.”

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. HE enables me to know the difference of fearing losing something I wasn’t supposed to have versus fearing following HIM. HE may embarrass me or make me look crazy to those who are against HIM. They may even humiliate me which doesn’t feel good at all, BUT GOD knows HIS great plan for me, plans to prosper me.

• Are you full of fear?
• Are you scared of being embarrassed?
• Can you get over your fears of the world and add a healthy fear of the LORD?

Fear of Failure

Psalm 16: ⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

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As I made my next move I decided to vet my idea to a few people. One person said I should “go left” another said “go right” another said “wait” and another said “charge.” When it was all said and done I was confused and went nowhere. Shortly after, another person who overheard the idea took it and ran with it, receiving accolades. I was indecisive.

• Unknown trails are scary to me.
• Fear of failing causes me to stay put.
• Impatience causes me to have knee-jerk reactions rather than calculated moves.

One definition of fear is wanting and desiring success or peace, but not taking any steps to get there. Whether it’s under or overthinking, fear cascades through my mind, thinking the worst could happen. Fear gets larger the more responsibility I take on. BUT GOD has some good advice for me.

• GOD says to me “Fear not, for I AM with you.”
• GOD says to me “MY grace is sufficient.”
• GOD says to me “I will wipe away your tears.”

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places and I can see the delightful inheritance of GOD. HE is the only one who can bring peace in the middle of the storm. HE whispers, so I need to quiet down to hear HIM and HIM alone, especially when others around me are confused or panicked. GOD wants me to hear HIM so I will not be shaken.

• Are you shaken?
• Do you have fear?
• Can you put your fear in GOD rather than on the thing you want so badly?
• Will you seek GOD’s comfort by telling HIM, out loud, what is bothering you?
• Can you prepare yourself for GOD to say “No” or “Wait” or “Yes” in HIS time?