The church of our Lord began with a group of frightened men in an upper room. Allow Jesus to come into your upper room and stand before you. Run your fingers over his feet. Place your hand in the pierced side. And look into those eyes. Those same eyes that melted the gates of hell and sent Satan running. Look at them as they look at you. You’ll never be the same.
The bottom line about all of our emotions or feelings of dread, apprehension, and uncertainty comes down to one thing: The fear of not being in control. – When there’s something beyond our control and we feel uncertain about the outcome, that’s going to create the emotion of anxiety in us. In the New Testament, the word anxiety means distracted or pulled apart – this is the opposite of peace. That “distraction” or “pulling apart” is going to create stress within us. And that stress, whether we realize it or not, is going to have a profound effect on our lives. Understand this can make you physically ill. It will divide your mind. And where your mind goes, the overall health of your body will eventually follow. That’s why recognizing what it is and learning to deal with the emotion of anxiety is so important.
I will both lay down in peace and rest, for you God, cause me to dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8. We are in a battle, spiritually and physically. While we are doing what we need to do to combat all this craziness that is going on in the world, we must all remember to reset ourselves. To take breaks. To get away and do something else. Worship, dance, read your Bible. Go for a walk. This is what will make us stronger and keep us out of fear. Fear wants us to regress, to shut up, to stay silent, to freeze, do nothing. But I REFUSE to do nothing. When you are fearful, you will not make good decisions or have a clear head.
The issue of fear is so well-known and important to God that more than three hundred times in Scripture He tells His people—in one form or another—not to be afraid. “Fear not.” “Be ye not afraid.” “Do not fear.” Look it up. It’s everywhere. You know those times when you’re searching high and low for just one verse to tell you what God wants you to do? Well, here’s three hundred of them. And they’re all saying the same thing: “Don’t be afraid.”
Fear is born of Satan, and if we would only take time to think a moment we would see that everything Satan says is founded upon a falsehood. He is the father of lies. Even his fears are falsehoods and his terrors ought to serve as encouragements. When Satan tells you, therefore, that some ill is going to come, you may quietly look in his face and tell him he is a liar. Instead of ill, goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. And then turn to your blessed Lord and say, What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee (Psalm 56:3). Every fear is distrust, and trust is the remedy for fear.
Fear is a crazy thing. It can paralyze you and prevent you from moving into Gods best for you. Many people don’t realize the fear present in their heart because they have grown so accustomed to living with it. Fear of man, fear of failure, fear of not measuring up and so on. But the opposite takes place when you can condition your heart to fear nothing but God. When the fear of the Lord is the only thing in your heart you are no longer paralyzed but empowered. Empowered to fear no man, fear no failure and empowered to see yourself the way the Father sees you which is holy and complete. Fight to get all the unhealthy fear out of your heart today.
Failure enslaves you in a prison of mediocrity. Freedom is found when you utilize the lessons learned by your failures as stepping stones toward abundant life.
Beloved, I say, let your fears go, lest they make you fainthearted. Stop inspiring fear in those around you and now take your stand in faith. God has been good and He will continue to manifest His goodness. Let us approach these days expecting to see the goodness of the Lord manifest. Let us be strong and of good courage, for the Lord will fight for us if we stand in faith.
We cannot let our past circumstances redefine our present reality and reduce our God-given destiny to what we feel we can handle.