by: todd veleber
We talked about how fear is simply a part of life. God equipped us with it so we would be wise enough to protect ourselves from the unexpected. So fear can be good, but fear can also be bad. Life can be risky and it is therefore filled with opportunities or reasons to fear or have anxiety. When I use the word fear, I mean all levels of fear from general apprehension and worry to dread and terror. Fear starts out when we are very young with fears of things like darkness, monsters, etc. and it continues into our teenage years with fears of things like rejection, humiliation and failure. Adulthood is also filled with possible fears such as fear of disease, death, financial problems, broken relationships, loved ones being hurt, storms, failure, aging, crime, etc. I personally know what it is like to be filled with fear in all of those stages of life.
So what do you look to trust in when you are afraid? Some seek that reassurance in a relationship. Others placed their trust in the government, latest drug, etc. None of these are real solutions because none of them offer total security or absolute reassurance. No amount of money, success, or any position in life can truly give you peace in every situation. Remember what Psalm 27:1-3 said?
Even Jesus encouraged us as his followers to recognize our bad fear because His desire for us is to live with peace. Look at John 14:27.
GOOD FEAR: Fear that protects us from harm.
You were told as a kid not to talk to strangers. And maybe your parents even tried to scare you about what these strangers could potentially do to you. That is healthy fear. Now it becomes unhealthy if taken to the extreme where you never leave your home, but having a “healthy” fear of strangers is a good thing. The same could be said about being out late. You should have a healthy fear about being out late at night – one that keeps you aware of your surroundings and keeps you safe.
We as Christ-followers are told to have another kind of healthy fear and this one is spiritual. We are told to “fear the Lord.” Let me tell you what it isn’t before I tell you what it is. Fearing the Lord is not walking around fearful that he may zap you with a lightening whenever you have a bad thought or something. That’s not what fearing the Lord is. Fearing the Lord is probably better said as an awesome respect or reverence growing out of the greatness and power of God. He wants us to have this fear. Remember what the Lord says to us in Deuteronomy 5:29.
BAD FEAR: Fear that prevents us from peace.
There will be times when fear will come into your life, but that’s when we have a choice to make – we can focus on the problem and be overcome with fear or we can choose to focus on God and turn over our fear to Him. Focusing on the problem will definitely prevent you from having peace. Bad fear can take over and destroy your life. And I know we typically don’t like to talk about it, but that is what this series is all about. Tonight is the time to look into your heart and see what fears you have allowed to set up camp there. God doesn’t want them there… he wants to give you peace that can only come from trusting in Him. Paul warns us about having bad fear that could prevents peace in Philippians 4:6-7.
How to be fear free:
1. Face your fears
There are times in our life that God allows (never sends) a problem in our life that can seem so hopeless that only our faith in Him can provide us the opportunity for Him to perform His work and bring His power into our situation. So many times we look at our situation or fear and try in our own strength to conquer it. But could it be that God is allowing the problem to continue to get us to the place where we will say, “You alone have the power to deliver me from this or free me from this fear.” Face your fear… realize that it is an opportunity for God to stretch and strengthen your faith!
2. Express your fears
Let God know how you feel. I used to try to hide my feelings from God (and still do somewhat). But you and I have to remember that God knows what’s going on in our lives and in our hearts anyhow. He wants us to verbalize it to him, though. Let Him know your fear and then…
3. Attach your fears
And the only way it can be attacked is through prayer. Go to God in prayer and let Him know that you need His help to overcome this fear in your live. Don’t run from the fear or act like it isn’t there, but take it to God. I think you will be surprised that He is anxious to grow you in your faith in the area you are fearful about and wants to prove His love and commitment to you!
4. Remember who is in control
Remember what Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 14:27? This is really the bottom line for Christians. We have to remember who we belong to. God desires to see this child-like dependence on him, when we finally come to Him and say with all of our hearts “I need you!” He is always there for us… even if we can’t see Him. Too often we miss God reassurance and continue in fear because instead of going to God sincerely we keep trying to handle things on our own and our anxiety level only increases. When Jake is frightened he will usually run to me, jump into my arms, and hold on tightly and there he finds safety and comfort. This is what we need to do when we fill overwhelmed. We need to jump into our Father’s arms.
