SermonIndex Audio Sermons
SermonIndex - Promoting Revival to this Generation
Give To SermonIndex
Discussion Forum : Devotional Thoughts : WHAT DO YOU FEAR?

Print Thread (PDF)

PosterThread
browny
Member



Joined: 2010/11/24
Posts: 458


 WHAT DO YOU FEAR?


What do you fear? You may have ongoing fears tied to your past, such as the fear of abandonment, failure, or rejection. Your fears may be new and tied to current circumstances like the fear of natural disasters, terrifying events, or financial ruin. Jesus told us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me” (John 14:1).

How do you respond to fear? Do you run and hide, withdrawing into yourself? Do you try to distract yourself from fear with activities? Read Matthew 10:24-31. Three times in this passage, Jesus says “Fear not.” While the world around us slips into panic, Jesus says not to live like them. We have no reason to allow fear to intimidate or defeat us because our eternity is secure in Christ.

The correct response to fear is not to surrender to it or to ignore it, but to overcome it with faith in God and absolute obedience to His Word.

Scripture tells us, “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7,8).

Many people trace their fears back to a loss of control. We experience fear when the stock market fluctuates. We experience fear when we cannot fix our relationships, health, or careers. We experience fear when seemingly senseless tragedies happen. So what do we do? We try to control the situation. We try to control our circumstances. Rather than bringing peace, the constant need for control creates greater fear and anxiety. What are we to do?

We must realize that the God who created us, and who redeemed us, is still actively working in our lives today. In Him, we can release the fear and need for control and enjoy rest no matter how violently the storm rages around us. Jesus told us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

When we comprehend that God is in control of our lives and surrender our circumstances to Him, we will find security. “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed’” (Isaiah 28:16).

Simply knowing God is faithful and trustworthy is not enough. We must enact this belief in our daily lives. Faith is like a muscle—when it is neglected it atrophies, but when used consistently it builds up and becomes stronger. We continually need to exercise faith to conquer and overpower fear. The Lord told His children through Isaiah, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9).

When Jesus rebuked His disciples during the storm, He asked, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26). Notice: the disciples’ faith was “little” and they were “so afraid.” Their faith was in inverse proportion to their fear. When faith is at 100 percent, fear is at 0 percent. When faith is at 60 percent, fear is at 40 percent. Yet when faith dips to 20 percent, fear will soar to 80 percent.

However, no matter how we fail in our daily trust in God, fear can never damage or destroy our saving faith. No matter how we give into our fears, our salvation can never be taken away from us. Nothing can snatch us away from God’s unending love: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38,39).

God does not want His children to live a fearful, defeated life. No matter how terrifying our circumstance, God wants us to live victoriously in Him. “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children” (Romans 8:15, 16).

If you are experiencing fear today, acknowledge it to the God who cares for you. Cry out, “Abba, Father.” Ask for His supernatural peace to fill your heart. Draw on the presence of the Holy Spirit. Seek confidence in His loving purpose. Commit today to trust and surrender completely only to God, and not your fears.

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul” (Psalms 94:18, 19).

(By Michael Youssef)

 2012/7/25 2:46Profile
Lee500
Member



Joined: 2012/7/25
Posts: 131


 Re: WHAT DO YOU FEAR?

I have had this problem for a many years. I have been praying it to go away. I get nervous nearly ever time I am driving long distance away from home.

 2012/7/25 3:43Profile
browny
Member



Joined: 2010/11/24
Posts: 458


 Re:

Hi Lee500

Whenever you feel nervous pray and remember this...

"... acknowledge it to the God who cares for you. Cry out, “Abba, Father.” Ask for His supernatural peace to fill your heart. Draw on the presence of the Holy Spirit. Seek confidence in His loving purpose. Commit today to trust and surrender completely only to God, and not your fears.

Bless you with peace Lee500
browny

 2012/7/25 3:55Profile









 Re:


Thank you for this timely thread, Browny.

I found a small secret, besides just getting my mind off of 'me' and looking up in trust in Him alone -- is to face the things that I fear 'Head-On'.
It's as if the enemy of our souls is saying, "If I can only get them [not trusting GOD] afraid of just one thing, then I can control them in the future by adding another fear and then later, another."

We're not ignorant of his devices.

So, for some, it can be a daily battle in the little things. We might fear something that seems to be very insignificant today, so we'll just avoid doing or facing that one small thing - but actually, our better course of action would be to go at it head-on and do it or face it with trust in our loving Heavenly Father, whatever it may be this day.



Thank you again, Sister.


 2012/7/25 14:30
browny
Member



Joined: 2010/11/24
Posts: 458


 Re:

Thank you JIG!

Amen to your words!

Bless you dear sister,

browny.

 2012/7/26 2:03Profile





©2002-2024 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Revival to this Generation.
Privacy Policy