Fears

Little Tony and Pastor James have recently posted blogs that talked about fears and trusting. If you haven't read them yet, do so. Both are very insightful. How interesting that tonight, I am teaching about one of the battles that the Christian must overcome and that is FEAR.

A recent article listed over 500 fears (phobias) that haunt the human soul. Some are as common as the fear of pain (agliophobia); others as rare as the fear of frogs (ranidaphobia). What do you fear at this time in your life? Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." (phobaphobia, by the way) I don't think our society is buying it. With the stock market, environmental warnings, political extremism, nuclear threats, random shootings, terrorism, diseases, etc. etc, etc, the motto of our age might read, "Be afraid, -- be very afraid."

It is easy for any of us as Christians to fall into the fears of the age. Too often we are trembling with the masses. Why, when from Genesis to Revelation, we are encouraged to boldness, confidence, courage, and peace. First I think we need to raise our sights and focus on truth. Help us, Lord, to remember the many verses that say our Father will never leave us alone or forsake us -- or have we forgotten?

Secondly, we need to press in close to God. Like LT said in his blog, knowing that I was with my dad (grandpa) I knew I would always be OK. When fears rise up, we all need to be with our Father. Safety, comfort, courage and peace are only found in the Father's embrace.

Lastly, we must rest in God's promises. When you wake up in the middle of the night, don't turn on TV or read the paper, open up God's Word and let the truth sooth your troubled spirit. For every phobia, God gives a promise and for every terror, He holds a triumph.

Up North Wisdom says most things we fear never come to pass. I know that what I share with you is easy to say and hard to do. But the truth is still truth and will set us free is we will receive it. Our worries will leave us restless and troubled. We would do well to learn as the Psalmist did: "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea". (Psalm 46:1,2)

Fill us today, Lord, with the antidote for fear -- Your perfect love. Blessings.