Fear III

Wikipedia on Fear: Fear is an emotion induced by perceived danger or threat, which causes physiological changes and ultimately behavioral changes, such as fleeing, hiding, or freezing from perceived traumatic events. Fear in human beings may occur in response to a certain stimulus occurring in the present, or in anticipation or expectation of a future threat perceived as a risk to oneself.

And Fear is always near:

Fear the future – Hell

Fear the past – punishment

Fear the government – the IRS

Fear the boss – no advancement or pay bump

Fear the present – the police lights are for you

Fear Satan – in light of the Job story

Fear God – God sending to Bangladesh

Fear failure – loss of reputation

Fear financial ruin – not able to maintain lifestyle

Fear a lawsuit

Fear a child dying

Live Fearless – Isaiah 41:10, Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

A personal God who strengthens, helps and carries.  So, don’t fear or be discouraged!

Live in Faith – Psalm 115:11, You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.

“Do Not Fear”, Cross Angle Ministries, June 15, 2020

Throughout Scripture God counsels us not to be afraid. Since the beginning of 2020 we have all been challenged by the presence of fear.  It is said there are 365 references in scripture telling us not to fear, not to be afraid, not to be anxious or worry. That’s one for every day of the year.  

Lloyd Ogilvie in “Facing the Future without Fear” even said there are 366 “Fear nots” in the Bible, one for every day of the year, including Leap Year!  The point is that through faith in God’s Word, we have an arsenal of weapons to combat fear.

Psalm 56 (NASB) is my go to reading to battle fear:

1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me; fighting all day long he oppresses me.
2 My foes have trampled upon me all day long, For they are many who fight proudly against me.
3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. “What can mere man do to me?”
5 All day long they distort my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They attack, they lurk, They watch my steps, As they have waited to take my life.
7 Because of wickedness, cast them forth, In anger put down the peoples, O God!
8 You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?
9 …This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise, In the Lord, whose word I praise,
11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?