“Facing the Giant of FEAR!”
Text: Isaiah 41:10
“ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Lamentations 3:57
“Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.”
Introduction:
Fear is probably the biggest giant that people face in their lives. Fear produces worry and worry brings defeat most of the time. Some of the fears that people struggle with are physical fears, financial fears and family fears. I heard a person say one time that they had three fears. They were heights, mice and people. And his biggest fear was people. I believe that the fear of what people will think of us is the one that people battle with the most.
Fear not is mentioned 63 times throughout the Bible. The phase “Fear thou not” is mentioned 4 time in the Old Testament. Fret is another word the Bible uses to represent fear. This word is uses 4 times in two of the poetic books of the Bible.
When we fear we are hindering God doing what our test says He will do. It says that He will strengthen us, He will help us. And He will uphold us with the right hand of His righteousness. I believe these are some of the most wonderful promises God has ever made to us . If God did not mean what He said He would not have had Peter write in First Peter 5:7; “Cast all your cares upon Him for He careth for you.” The word cares in this verse means all of our fears, worries, concerns, etc. Everything that bothers us He said to cast on Him.
Let us take a look at this word fear.
I.What is Fear?
Fear is “an unpleasant and often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” Webster says Fear is “a felling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc.” Fear is completely natural and helps people to recognize and respond to dangerous situations and threats. However, healthy fear -- or fear which has a protective function -- can evolve into unhealthy or pathological fear, which can lead to exaggerated and violent behavior. This is one type of fear. This fear is the one that we as Christians need to give to God. The other type of fear is having to do with respectful dread; awe or reverence. This kind of fear is what we need towards God. The Bible says we need to fear God. That does not mean to be afraid of Him. It means just what the song writer wrote. “I Stand Amazed in the Presences of Jesus the Nazarene.”
II.What causes Fear?
There are a lot of things that can cause fear.
A. Lack of Faith.
B. Lack of Trust.
C. Lack of a Need not being met.
These are just three causes for fear. From these three causes there can be conflict that arises which makes things worse.
III.How can we fight Fear off?
A. Reading God’s Word
B. Lots of Time spent in Prayer
C. Having others to Prayer with you and for you.
Conclusion:
Remember God’s Words “Fear not, for I am with you.”
