Notes for message 10 and 11 have been combined here for expedience.
Judges Series #10 & 11 Life Cycles
“Understanding and Handling Fear” (Trust More Fearless)
Review
On prominent principle in our study of Judges clearly demonstrates that God powerfully enlists the unlikely to precipitate the unimaginable. Gideon certainly qualified for a most unlikely candidate for an impossible mission. His mission which he was hesitant to accept consisted of facing an army of 135,000 Midianite warriors with only an ill-equipped band of 300 farmers. Gideon struggled most of his life with fear. This mission was not designed for the faint at heart. Yet, because God powerfully enlists the most unlikely to accomplish the impossible, Gideon became God’s instrument to break the devastating hold the Midianites imposed on Israel for seven years. I am certain that Gideon is not the only one that struggles with fear.
Fear appeared early in human history following Adam’s deliberate defiance of God’s mandate.
The realization of the gravity of his action drove him into hiding. Of course you can’t hide from and all-knowing, everywhere present God. When God called Adam to account for his action and why he was hiding, Adam confessed that he hid because he was afraid.
This study of fear in the Bible turned out to be a daunting and mysterious venture. The family of terms translated fear and its similar words numbers over 400 in the Old Testament and 146 in the New Testament. My struggle however transcended the sheer number of verses when I realized that the Bible tells us not to fear in numerous place but also commands us to fear in equally as many other places using the same terms. Here lays my struggle to pull it all together into some sort of coherent message.
I also struggle personally to find some way to reconcile the well-known feeling associated with a perceived or actual threat of my well-being with how I should feel concerning my relationship with God.
Today I want to help us get in touch with the concept so that we can discover how it plays out in Scripture. I will try to define it, understand it and discover principles for dealing with it.
Let us first start with the words. There is really nothing complicated about the actual family of terms used. Here is a summary taken from Holman’s Illustrated Dictionary.
The concept of fear is referred to in the Bible several hundred times, either explicitly or by implication through effects such as trembling, shaking, shuddering, or cringing. The word group most often associated with fear in the OT (occurring 435 times) is the verb yara’, “to fear, honor,” the adjective yare’, “in fear of, fearful,” and the related nouns, mora’, “fear, terror, awe,” and yir’ah, “fear, worship.” These are supplemented by other word groups such as one related to the root chatat, “be terrified, disheartened, dismayed,” and pacad, “tremble, be in dread.”
In the NT the concept of fear is most often associated with the root phob- (146 times), as in the verb phobeo, “to fear, reverence, or respect,” related nouns, phobos, “fear, terror, reverence, respect” and phobetron, “terrifying sight,” and the adjective phoberos, “fearful.” Synonyms are also found, such as tarasso, “disturb, terrify,” and the word group deilia, “cowardice,” deiliao, “be cowardly, fearful,” and deilos, “cowardly, timid.”
Fear is more than just that knot in the pit of your stomach or that uneasy feeling plaguing your thoughts.
Fear is a tangible involuntary reaction to a perceived or actual threat to my well-being that is either present or potential that requires some sort of intentional response.
Well-being or sense of peace and safety apply to all areas of my life.
Threat to my physical safety
Intruder, illness, falling, Failing health, getting older, cancer, DEATH, loss of abilities
Threat to my psychological safety
Rejection, persecution, loss of mental abilities, self-worth, offenses, failure, what other think. Not fitting in, getting laughed at, judged
Threat to relational well-being
Losing a spouse, child, parent, sibling or friend. Well-being of same. Being alone
Threat to my current circumstances or environment
Loss of home, fear dark, heights, flying, snakes, enclosed places, people, uncomfortable circumstances, world or national, end times, government control, spiders, future events,
Threat to my financial security and well-being
Loss of Job, savings, investments, retirement
Threat to my stuff
Theft, disaster, fire, flood,
Threat to my spiritual well-being
Satan, disappointing God, failing God, not a good witness, lack of prayer, unsaved loved ones, evil spirits.
This could relate to things threatening us today or that we fear might threaten tomorrow (worry). Some of our fears relate to perceived threats that may or may not have any basis in reality.
Fear of MRI – No one has ever died in an MRI machine.
Fear of spiders – For the most part, this little speck carries little threat.
Fear of an elephant (or whatever object of your choosing) falling from the sky.
The trouble is that the media has brought innumerable possibilities to increase our fear.
They tell us about some of the most bizarre and unimaginable disasters to our attention so that they are no imaginable because the actually happened even though the chances of them happening to us are miniscule – we worry about them anyway. Fear and worry require a tremendous amount of emotional energy to ready us for action against a threat.
It dumps a myriad of chemicals into the system to ready us for action that never happens and the body must then absorb or burn off those chemicals to restore our system to a state of normalcy.
Continually worry continually dumps those chemicals that take its toll on our system.
Some experts estimate that up to 90% of actual physical malfunctions did not start out with something physical but because of problems associated with fear and anxiety. God designed our body to marvelously heal itself. When our divinely designed systems fly out of balance due to stress, bitterness, anger, worry, fear, anxiety, trauma we become susceptible to any number of devastating physical malfunctions.
Fear is a tangible involuntary reaction to a perceived or actual threat to my well-being that is either present or potential that requires some sort of intentional response.
I purposely chose the words reaction and response. The word reaction indicates a kind of automatically triggered emotion. The word response indicates a reasoned response or action prompted by the triggered emotion. It is very difficult to separate reaction and response except for analysis.
A bear charges from the woods. The treat is real. My system reacts by pouring adrenaline into my system triggering a reasoned response. RUN!!!
The phone rings at 2:00AM. From practical experience, that is not usually a “good news” call and the ring immediately triggers my emotions even before I pick up the phone. My system automatically reacts triggering an involuntary flush of emotion. There is nothing I can do about it. It just is. It is like anger triggered by some evil event. The emotion is not necessarily sin. It just IS. It is the red light on the dash warning that something is wrong. Fear is a warning light warning me to look out danger. What I do with the emotion determines its sinfulness or not.
My response to the emotion and situation matter next. Life events trigger all fearful reactions intended to prompt growth producing actions or responses to the life circumstance.
David left some powerful advice to his son Solomon.
Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20
Life is full of fearful possibilities that require a reasoned godly response. God’s word provides clear advice for God’s people facing all kinds of life threatening circumstances just as it did for Joshua, and Gideon. Many times our own thinking, apart from any actual event, can trigger fearful reactions. “I wonder why so and so doesn’t like me.” “What if?” “I wonder if.”
“God must be mad at me.” “What if I die in my sleep?” “I wonder if I have cancer.” “What if I lose my mind?”
God gives us emotional energy to deal with today, not what might happen tomorrow.
God does NOT give grace for imagined cancer. He gives the grace to deal with the out of control imagination but not for the substance of my fear based on a lie. God does not give grace for imagined threats. God does not give grace for perceived threats. Worry about the future or perceived treat is so devastating. We pre-spend the energy to deal with today’s actual issues by worrying about tomorrow’s possible events. Very seldom do the things we worry about ever happen.
I think that it is possible our focus on what might happen could actually contribute to them happening. We extend permission to the evil spiritual forces around us to bring them about.
Jesus affirmed God’s amazing concern for His kids. Based on our great worth in the Father’s eyes, Jesus left some powerful advice. (command actually)
Stop worrying then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34
Fear is a tangible involuntary reaction to a perceived or actual threat to my well-being that is either present or potential that requires some sort of intentional response.
What kind of responses and actions do fear trigger? There may be more but I have categorized them into five possible responses. Some of these responses may actually be a good response when directed by God. If not, we will not achieve the results God intends.
1. Fight
There may be times that God instills the courage to boldly face a threat and eliminate it.
We find this repeatedly with Israel and their enemies. Other times we may expend a ton of fleshly energy trying to fight against God’s purposes. The Five missionaries to Auca Indians determined ahead of time not to protect themselves in the event of an attack. After they lost their lives, the fact that they did not protect themselves when they could, became the catalyst for the salvation of a whole tribe and stimulus for thousands of young people to give their lives for missions work. It is important to determine what God desires when treats to our well-being emerge.
2. Flee
We naturally try to avoid threatening situations. God purposely puts us in uncomfortable situation for our growth. Running from or avoiding situations because they feel uncomfortable or threating could stunt our growth. I would have like to avoid many of the subjects necessary to get a Master’s Degree. I would feel anxious at the beginning of every semester looking the required courses.
God may in fact instruct us to flee a threatening situation. He told Joseph to flee to Egypt at the threat of Herod against Jesus. God could have easily protected Jesus in Israel.
Jesus would have loved to avoid the trauma of the cross and actually asked to, but thank God, He instead submitted to the Father’s plan. Has God asked you to do something that feels uncomfortable, even fearful? Talk to someone. Forgive someone. Serve someone.
Reconcile with someone. What is it that causes fear at the prospect?
3. Freeze
There are times that fear paralyzes us. We don’t run but we freeze. We do nothing. The thought of facing certain things paralyzes us. It is said that some women who have been sexually abused are unable to fight back or run, they just freeze and a predator can spot the characteristics and knows he won’t get resistance. Freezing is bad when it is an involuntary response.
There are times when God does ask us to wait. Such lack of action is good when it is a reasoned response in consultation with God and people He has put in our life. It is never good to get out ahead of God. Failing to act at all is the same as running. Waiting is a reasoned act of trust in God to direct the most effective moment to do something. In this case, the initial fearful emotion gives way to peace and boldness in the midst of the threat.
Fear paralyzed the early followers of Jesus at the threats and imprisonment of the apostles. They prayed (one of the responses to fear). In their prayer they asked for boldness to speak the truth in spite of the threats.
And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, Acts 4:29
God’s Holy Spirit moved mightily among them and the Holy Spirit filled them all and enabled them all to boldly speak the word. They wer delivered from paralysis based on fear of persecution.
4. Fret
This common response is NEVER healthy. In fact, this response is probably the unhealthiest of responses because it continuously ravages the emotional system. It keeps on in a perpetual state of fear. It keeps the adrenaline flowing without an outlet or action. Paul definitive instruction to the Philippians was to STOP worrying or fretting. Rather than deal Biblically with the threat real or perceived, we allow it to occupy our thinking and continually stir our emotions to the point of exhausting. Such emotional exhaustion ends in depression and all manner of unhealthy thinking. The question is, how do I manage this uncomfortable knot in the pit of my stomach?
How do I prevent my mind from repeatedly rehearsing anxious thoughts that keep me in a perpetual state of impending doom and threat about so many things?
The fifth response guides all the rest.
5. Faith
By faith, I mean trust and obedience. In the midst of our fear, we affirm our trust in a faithful Creator and purpose to do what is right. David counseled Solomon,
"Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. 1 Chron 28:20
In my study of this subject, I have been examining all of the passages addressing fear that seem to break into two basic considerations. Fear of personal threat. Fear of the Lord.
In all of the passages that issue the command to “Fear not!” I paid special attention to the context to discover the reasons God gives to stop being afraid. He doesn’t say to never be afraid. Fear just is. He tells us how we can respond to the natural reaction in the fact of personal threat. That will be the substance of coming messages.
“Understanding and Handling Fear” Pt 2 (Trust More Fearless)
It is my hope that we understand fear a bit better by the time we have finished survey the abundance of Bible verses that address fear. If you gathered all the verses in the Bible that mention the word fear and it’s near relatives you would have a stack of 700 or 800 verses.
If you also examined the verse that mention the opposite concept of fear like courage, encouragement, peace, strength a stake similar in number would lay next to the first.
REMEMBER
Fear is a tangible involuntary reaction to a perceived or actual threat to my well-being that is either present or potential that requires some sort of intentional response.
Fear is a physiological reaction triggered by actual events or circumstances that threaten my well-being i.e. Earthquake, dangerous environment, rejection. It can also be a reaction to a perceived threat (exists only in my thoughts) to my well-being. My perceptions relate to likely or unlikely treats, present or potential threats. Many perceptions arise out of real life childhood events. Many of our fears relate to possible threats in the future that may or may not have any connection to our past. The physiological reaction can trigger an emotion anywhere from a slight uneasy feeling to a full-blown incapacitating phobia.
Threat to my physical safety
Threat to my psychological well-being
Threat to my world of relationships
Threat to my current or future circumstances or environment
Threat to my financial security and well-being
Threat to my stuff
Threat to my spiritual well-being
As I mentioned last week, our instant connection to events and threats from around the world only fills our mind with a mass of previously unimagined danger. New enemies, new diseases, new wars, new tragedies, new bubble bursts, global warming, global freezing, polluted water, governmental threats to our freedom all displayed before us in living color or dying color in some cases. Such emotions we call, fear, anxiety, stress and worry require a tremendous amounts of energy.
God actually designed us to physiologically react to threatening situations. Fear readies us for action against a threat. Healthy fear keeps us from walking off a building or getting too close to the edge. Fear keeps us from doing stupid stuff. Some lack a healthy fear of dangerous situations. Children need to learn what is and isn’t a real threat. Real or imagined threats dump a myriad of chemicals into the system to ready us for action. When we imagine a threat, the body must then absorb or burn off those chemicals and hormones in order for our system to return to a state of normalcy. Continual worry continually dumps those chemicals that take a toll on our system leaving us vulnerable to any number of devastating physical malfunctions.
Fear is a tangible involuntary reaction to a perceived or actual threat to my well-being that is either present or potential that requires some sort of intentional response.
Emotional reaction should lead to rational response. My system automatically reacts triggering an involuntary flush of emotion. I can’t do anything about that. It just is. It is the flashing red light on the dash that warns me to beware. Life is full of fearful circumstances and events that require a reasoned godly response. The Bible addresses all manner of fearful threats to me or the people I care about and offers a course of action or a change in perception that enables me to deal with those threats.
Fear is a tangible involuntary reaction to a perceived or actual threat to my well-being that is either present or potential that requires some sort of intentional response.
The first thing to do is to analyze.
Is the threat real or imagined? I find out I have cancer. I am worried I might get cancer.
Is the treat happening in the present or am I worried about some future possibility?
A fire breaks out in the basement. I worry that a fire might break out in the basement.
What are the chances of this calamity happening to me? Fear of a tornado in the Pacific Northwest. Fear of a tornado in Kansas.
Real threats require specific action. Imagined threats require specific thinking and perspective change. Job lived with fear of the future. Job’s fear of losing his wealth, health, family made him vulnerable to Satan’s attack.
The Second step is to contemplate an intentional response.
I think this is what Scripture means when it says they strengthen themselves in the Lord.
1. Fight
If God tells you to fight – fight.
If God tells you not to fight – don’t fight.
2. Flee
If God tells you to run – run.
If God tells you to stand – stand.
3. Freeze
Sometimes the strength of the emotion triggered by the threat paralyzes us.
Sometimes God tells us to stand still and see the salvation of God.
4. Fret
Fret over a real or perceived threat is NEVER healthy. It keeps us in a perpetual state of fear.
It keeps the adrenaline flowing without an outlet or action. Paul told the Philippians to STOP worrying or fretting. Rather than deal Biblically with the real threat with appropriate action, we stew and fret. “I don’t think so and so likes me.” We worry, fret, and lose sleep dumping continual doses of adrenaline into our system when a simple phone call could resolve the whole thing. Now if there is a problem, then we have a new situation requiring other responses.
“I am worried I have cancer.” Rather than act, we refuse to consult a physical or specialist.
If I do have cancer, there are other appropriate responses available and advisable.
If our fear is primarily a perception rather than a reality, it occupies our thinking and continually stirs our emotions to the point of exhaustion. Such emotional exhaustion ends in depression and all manner of unhealthy mental and physical disorders. The appropriate response to a perceived threat is a renewed perception through the truth of Scripture.
Transformation of the soul begins with a renewing of the thinking by interaction with truth.
How do I manage that chronic uncomfortable knot in the pit of my stomach? How do I prevent my mind from repeatedly rehearsing anxious thoughts that keep me in a perpetual state of impending doom and threat about so many things?
5. Faith
By faith, I mean trust and obedience. In the face of the threat that triggers the fear, we affirm our trust in a faithful Creator and purpose to respond correctly. Trust in God’s person and promise is the primary response to fear.
Scripture does not deny that this broken world is frightening.
Scripture does not minimize or fearful circumstances and events.
Scripture does not promise protection from uncomfortable situations.
Scripture clearly tells us that tribulation is not only an expected but necessary factor for spiritual growth. Anyone that teaches differently is selling something.
Jesus encountered all manner of uncomfortable events and situations; hunger, rejection, ridicule, broken relationships, demonic harassment and torment, physical torture and excruciating death. He was fully human. God did not shield Him or deliver Him from the pain of life circumstances.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me." Matthew 26:38
The threat to His whole person triggered an intense emotional reaction that required a reasoned response. In His case, He enlisted the companionship and prayer of His closest disciples (which He didn’t get) and a heart to heart conversation with His Heavenly Father ending with a trust and submission to the Father’s plan.
The place and profit of suffering and pain experienced by God’s people occupies a massive space in the Scripture and in life. Be sure that God sometimes powerfully delivers us from fearful and uncomfortable situations. Other times God allows fearful and uncomfortable situations to refine us. Our voluntary response to an uncomfortable situation or threat triggers an involuntary emotion that often tests and exposes the strength or weakness of our faith.
We can say we trust God, but if we continually live in fear, worry, and anxiety without a Biblical response, we deceive ourselves. Persistent fear exposes a major issue in my life.
I am ignorance of God’s person and promises. (Lack of knowledge)
I refuse to trust God’s person and promise. (Lack of trust)
The third step is to submit to God’s work in your life.
God is aware of every threat present and future. God actively works in my life to will and do His good pleasure. Every threat or uncomfortable circumstance fits into God’s purpose for my life. In each of the passages that address fear, God includes a reason not to fear. I will summarize some of the reasons we need not fear. I will expand on some of them later.
The overwhelming evidence points to two basic reasons why I can stop worrying.
FEAR NOT! For the eternal all-powerful God loves you deeply.
FEAR NOT! For the all-loving God will be with you and will never leave you or forsake you.
Later I want to produce for you a little booklet that includes all the specific passages but today just listen to the reasons God tells us to not fear.
To Abraham – Fear not I am your shield. To Hagar – Fear not I hear you and will provide for you. To Isaac – Fear not I am with you. Moses to people – Fear Not stand still and see God’s salvation. To Moses – Fear not God has a plan.
To Joshua and Moses – Fear not I will strengthen you and weaken them. I promise victory. The Lord will fight with you. Do not be discouraged or dismayed God is greater. God is with you and goes with you.
He will not fail you or forsake you. God will deliver. God will provide. To Elijah – Those with us are greater than those with them. God is in charge God is the true God they only have the arm of flesh, you have the arm of the LORD. Do not fear but remember Your awesome God.
The Lord is you shield and light. The Lord will save You. I will not fear for the Lord is the defense of my life. He is our refuge, help in trouble – He is with us. Trust in God’s ultimate good. He is our fortress and shelter. He will cover and protect and love. He is faithful. He guards our heart and establishes us. He is sovereign. He will help you. He has specially called us. I will be with you THROUGH the storm. I will protect you. I forgive you. You are precious.
I Created and formed you. You are my special creation. I love you. There is not like ME. The Lord is my Shepherd. I will restore you. I will answer. I am doing great things. I will rejoice over you. You will rest in my love. My purposes are not to harm you but to prosper you. Jesus told his disciples not to fear over and over again. I am with you. I am here. I will return. I God to my Father. I will send the Holy Spirit. Trust in God – trust also in Me. God has given you the kingdom. Sarah eliminated fear by putting her trust and hope in God not in her husband. I promise you reward.
It’s all there. It is up to us to actually believe it. If we continue to carry fear – it is clear we really don’t really believe it. HIS perfect love casts out all fear. He knows everything we face.
He is always available. He is powerful enough to do something about it. After today, you cannot claim ignorance as an excuse for fear. It is now time to entrust your souls to a faithful Creator and do what is right.
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Don’t be like the Israelites who refused to trust God.
For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength."
But you were not willing, Isaiah 30:15
There are other actions left to discuss related to addressing fear. Today, please consider submitting to His sovereign work in your life if it may include facing things that might be fearful and uncomfortable. Repent of your failure to trust Him evidenced by fear, anger, complaining. Purpose to thank Him and trust Him.
