Spiritual Research

Spiritual Research - Fear

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God tells Joshua ‘do not be afraid’: Joshua 1:9 (NIV): “… Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

(There’s a great VBS song about this: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid…”)

Courage is the antithesis of fear.

Paul expands this to Timothy: 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJ): “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

(I have been clinging to this verse. How many of our actions (well, really reactions) are based in fear? Our fear button gets pushed, we hurt, we react in anger…)

Now to 1 John 4:18 (NIV): “There is no fear in love. Bur perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

And Psalm 56:11 (NIV): “in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” So the key here is trust (faith)

And from faith, hope: Job 13:15: “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.”

And then to joy: Psalm 5:11: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

And on what basis do we trust God? Because he is good, and he loves us and he wants good things for us. And, since he is all powerful, he can bring them about.

See: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-fear.html

Remember that we are not captive to our feelings!

Feelings feel true, but they may not be. Feelings are not rational. Do not let your feelings lead you. It’s not healthy:

Proverbs 14:30 (NIV): “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”

Feelings follow thoughts, and we CAN control our thoughts: 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV): “… and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

So by controlling our thoughts, and focusing on Good rather than Toxic, we can guide our feelings: Philippians 4:8 (NIV): “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

12/2006:

Some practical advice on how to overcome fear and anxiety: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

That is: when your scared or overwhelmed, tell God about it. Before you go off imagining all that could go wrong, stop and bring it to God. Tell Him how scared you are, how you have no idea how to solve this problem. And look what is promised: the Peace of God. But wait, you say, that doesn’t make sense. You’re right. In fact, Paul says that it “transcends all understanding”. This is a trust issue. But it’s easy to test. Just try it the next time you’re afraid.

See Freedom In Christ Ministry’s page “Who I Am In Christ”: I am Accepted. I am Secure. I am Significant.

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