What are some “unhealthy” fears we can experience? A few that come to mind are:
- Fear of a lack of control
- Fear of not having enough money
- Fear of what others think
- Fear of inadequacy
- Fear of failure
When you were a child was there a fear that “held” you in its grip? Has it carried over into your life as an adult?
How do we overcome those fears? First, if we have Jesus Christ living in our heart, then we have to be aware that,as Warren Wiersbe says, “Fear and faith can’t live in the same heart”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What???????????????????? Let me repeat, “Fear and faith can’t live in the same heart.” 1 John 4:18a says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” This is referring to God’s perfect love. His love indwells the hearts of all believers though the power of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22, the first fruit of the Spirit is love.
It’s true ~ we’re either trusting in the fullness of God’s love or we’re not. Fear is a lack of trust. Plain and simple. We want to trust, but fear cripples or paralyzes us and keeps us from trusting and that’s just what the enemy wants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As long as he can keep us wringing our hands, worried, anxious, scarred, and doubting, etc., he’s got us just where he wants us. Our fear(s) CAN and WILL be passed down to our children if we don’t do something about it. But what can we do?
In Psalm 56:3, it says, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Run to your Abba ~ your Daddy ~ tell Him how you feel and ask for His help. Remember, He longs to show you His compassion when you cry out to Him.
For years fear crippled me and held me in its grip. My Mom was very protective, actually overprotective. I know she meant well, and would have NEVER done anything to intentionally hurt me, but in her protectiveness ~ fear was instilled. I had VERY low self esteem ~ I felt totally inadequate in school, especially middle/high school. I was sooooooooooo afraid of saying the wrong thing in class ~ being made fun of ~ I felt stupid and that I couldn’t do anything right. I was scared of what others thought. This carried over into adulthood.
When I met my husband Ray, he was the one God used to help me see how much damage holding on to fear had and was doing to me. At that time, God began to show me areas of fear that I had allowed to stay and keep me in its grip. As I would give them to Him, He would set me free. He set me free from low self esteem and what others think by showing me who I am in Him. Even at 5’ 1”, I stand TALL in Christ. “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)
Several years ago, fear, once again began to rear its ugly head. I knew God had taken the stronghold of fear away so I wasn’t sure if this was a test from the Lord or a temptation thrown at me by Satan to go back to my old ways. I “happened” to be reading Psalms 34. All of a sudden, verse 4 seemed to literally jump off the page at me. “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” That little word all became quite BIG to me. When God says He will do something, take Him at His Word. All His words are true and He does not lie. So right then I thanked Him for taking away ALL my fears and knew I could fully trust Him regardless of how many times doubts come. I praise Him that victory is mine in Christ Jesus every day and in every situation. “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)
Recently, I saw a drama presented at our Church, entitled Cardboard Testimonies. As the song “Stronger”, by Reuben Morgan, was played in the background, someone would come on stage and hold up a piece of cardboard with what used to hold them in its grip; then they would flip the sign over and on the other side it revealed how God had COMPLETELY freed them. As I watched, I was reminded of how God had taken away the stronghold of fear in my life and how He has given me complete freedom in Him. “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1) I praise Him that I am no longer a prisoner bound by the stronghold of fear, because Jesus has set me free.
If you are struggling with fear in your own life, KNOW, my friend that God will take your struggle and free you from the stronghold of fear if you will give it to Him. Read the following verses that pertain to fear and ask Him to reveal any areas you need to give Him. Begin today to rest on the promises of His Word. “I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32)
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- Psalm 4:8
- Psalm 5:11-12
- Psalm 9:10
- Psalm 20:7-8
- Psalm 22:4-5
- Psalm 23:4
- Psalm 27:1-2, 7-11, 13 ~ remember it’s a process
- Psalm 31:1-4, 7, 19-24
- Psalm 34:4
- Psalm 119:165
- Proverbs 14:26
- Proverbs 16:20
- Proverbs 29:25
- Isaiah 41:10
- Jeremiah 17:7-8
- John 8:31-32
- 2 Timothy 1:7
