Fear....You Can Be Free of It

No one is a stranger to fear. Of course there is the good God given fear that informs us not to touch a hot stove or walk out in front of busy traffic. This healthy fear keeps all of us from danger but we all know to well there is another kind of fear.

I think we would all be surprised by the sheer number of people who maybe give the outward appearance that everything is under control but inwardly they are in the battle of their lives. Inwardly they are fighting minute by minute, day after day against fear. They are miserable and don't have any peace. They go from ruminating on one worry after the next.

The fear grips them at the core of who they are. Fear of what? Fear of the unknown, of failure, the future, of disease, of loss, of what is out of their control, of death, of their sins being found out, and of countless other things that start with the words "what if.."

Over time the fear cripples them emotionally. Try hard as they might, the battle within takes its toll on not just them but those closest to them. Maybe they try desperately to drown out the voices of fear and anxiety with alcohol and drugs. Some try to preoccupy their minds with busyness in a vain attempt to escape their inward struggle. Others paralyzed by fears grip panic, isolate, lash out, or sink into despair. Still others become chief procrastinators afraid to take risks or move on for fear of failure or the inability to do things perfectly. The fear ever increasingly sabotages their relationships, careers, and all facets of their life.

For the believer in Christ, we are not assured that we will not encounter fear. The fear that destroys has its origins in hell. This fear excels at deception, manipulation, lying, and confusion with its ultimate goal of destroying faith. The Lord declares to His children throughout the bible repeatedly "Do not fear!"

What are you afraid of? What is the most common "what if...." that arrests your emotions, steals your joy, and floods your heart with anxiety? As believers, we must remember that

"God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Tim 1:7

God through His Holy Spirit desires that we all live victorious over fear, anxiety, and worry.

Is it possible?

The good news is God can give you and me absolute victory over fear, anxiety, and worry. Listen carefully, you and I will never be able to escape the temptation to fear on this earth but each battle through Christ can be won. The battle against fear is won or lost in the mind. One of the greatest strategies to turning the tide in the battle is to learn how to control your thoughts. The Bible puts it this way ..." we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5"

How do we "take captive" our thoughts of fear? You and I must identify the source of fear and then the most powerful way I know to "take captive" our thoughts of fear is to bind the fear in truth, God's truth, His Holy word. Remember the belt of truth. Find scriptures that speak directly to your fears and speak them, meditate on them, and pray using them. You see at the core of fear are lies and though fear is very powerful it can't stand against the truth of God. Then we must become very skilled at using the shield of faith. Because with faith " you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Eph 6:16

My friend if you know Christ, you don't have to be a slave to fear anymore. You don't have to listen to the lies of fear and allow it to undermine you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. You don't have to be constantly miserable anymore. God desires for you to have victory over fear. He wants us to have peace, joy, hope, love, and rest in our spirit.

Surrender your fears to God, take control of your thoughts through the power of the Holy Spirit, confess your unbelief, and don't shrink back when fear comes in like a flood. Take refuge in Him, let Him give you the victory, stand firm in the truth, and know that no matter the fear God promises He can free you from it! How am I so confident? He did it for me and I promise if you trust Him, He will be faithful to free you. :-)

"I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."

Psalms 34:4

"But my righteous one will live by faith.

And I take no pleasure

in the one who shrinks back." Hebrews 10:38