XI. THE FEAR FACTOR
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (Isa 12:2)
A. One of the greatest truths of Christianity is God's promise to always be with us.
Yet, this is the one truth we know but fail to believe! When the storms of life come, when you are frightened or overwhelmed, fear will most often be the first response. Fear is one of the devil's greatest tools to destroy unbelievers and believers. It has been said that faith is the currency of Heaven, and fear is the currency of Hell. Jesus asked the question; "Why are ye fearful?" (Matt.8:26)
1. The Greek word for "fear" is ‘phobia.’
There are over 600 different kinds of phobias. (See Appendix) The fear of losing one’s job, not advancing in business, family, friends, wealth, career, growing old, dying, death, health, nuclear war, the future, failure, rejection, spiders and insects, evil people, being alone, punishment, animals, water, (to name a few) have left many people troubled, worried, restless, anxious, and perplexed.
2. Fear is, first and foremost, a God-given emotion that prepares your body and mind to deal with life's challenges.
It is a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence of real or imagined danger, evil, or pain from memories of traumatic experiences. Fear is not a disease; it is a process of thinking. While your body's chemistry is set up to react to potential danger, unfounded or irrational fears are something you allow to happen.
3. The average person thinks 60,000 thoughts daily; over 95% of those are the same ones you had yesterday.
Thoughts are wholly made up in the mind, and while the experience feels real, it is a false perception.
4. Many are held as prisoners because of fear!
Job cried out, "The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me." (3:25) NIV. As a result, we try to take precautions to protect ourselves. We buy insurance policies to cover those things we consider valuable. We put bars on our windows and doors. We buy alarm systems to protect our automobiles. We buy deadly weapons for security.
5. Fear can be an intimidator.
It causes you to worry, fret, and be anxious. It can rob you of confidence and faith. Jesus said that men’s hearts would fail them because of fear. (Luke 21:26) Fear can consume your thoughts and keep you from getting anything done. It brings confusion and can lead you to sin. It can cause you to hide, keeping you from interacting and loving others. It can keep you away from having intimacy with God and serving Him. It can open a door for the enemy to take a stronghold that can cause many physical, emotional, and spiritual problems. (See Genesis 3)
B. Types of Fear
People can have a fear of just about anything. Listed below are some of the common fears:
1. Animals: snakes, rats, mice
2. Atmosphere: dark, shadowy, gloomy, foreboding, being alone, strange or unknown setting. Authority figures: being told what to do, being embarrassed
3. Disaster: fire, hurricane, tornado, lightening, losing a job or being fired, injury or pain (self or others), death (self or others), losing security and financial stability
4. Events: nuclear holocaust, war, crime, riots, terrorist attacks
5. Family member: getting ill, being lost, running away
6. Feelings about oneself: feeling guilty, ``not being good enough'', being unstable or crazy, being held accountable, being pressured to produce, explaining your behavior, being exposed for the weaknesses or failures in your past, being useless or unwanted.
7. Guilty Fear can be both real and imagined. When you have done something immoral, unethical, or illegal, you are supposed to feel guilty, just as Adam did in the garden after eating the forbidden fruit.
8. Illogical fear is fear when there is no basis for fear. Proverbs 28:1 says: “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” This type of fear can torture, destroy and debilitate you when there is nothing to fear.
9. Objects: guns, knives, computers
10. Paralyzing fear can make a person incapable of doing what he should, just as the Israelites were terrified to leave Egypt (Ex 13 & 14). It can keep you from doing the things you should do
11. People: men or women, strangers, homosexuals, making problems or trouble for others, feeling over-responsible, not doing enough for others, losing others
12. Places: school, church, crowds, planes, or enclosed places heights above or below ground
13. Protective fear is the fear of real danger and can be a very healthy emotion because it can keep you alive by causing you to take the appropriate and necessary caution. It helps you avoid dangerous situations, such as driving too fast, jaywalking in heavy traffic, respecting electricity, turning the gas off when you smell a leak, etc.
14. Public speaking: taking a leadership role, getting nervous in front of others, making a fool of yourself
15. Reactions or responses to self: rejection, disapproval, not being liked, being made fun of, disappointing others, being ignored, being the ``real'' you
16. Results of taking a risk to do something: failure, success, making a mistake, being judged, repeating mistakes from the past
17. The unknown: new things, e.g., technology, change, making a decision, growing old alone, retirement, inactivity
18. Fear of the Lord: The unrepentant guilty sinner should be afraid of standing before a Holy and righteous God. The consequence of rejecting Jesus, God the Father’s love gift to us, as supreme Lord and Savior, is absolutely terrifying. The Scriptures tell us that because of humanity's stubborn and unrepentant heart, they are “storing up wrath against” themselves “ when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” (Rom 2:5 NIV) Believers are commanded to “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.” (Col 3:5-6 NIV)
When you are Born-Again and become a Christian, even though God sees and knows everything you do, He still loves you anyway! Because you are now His child, God did not select you to “suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess 5:9 NIV) Yet, God can not look upon sin nor tolerate it. Jesus said; “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.” (Rev 3:19 NIV)
When you trust God’s discipline, you can be confident that He will protect you. "In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge" (Proverbs 14:26). The fear of the Lord is primarily not to be afraid of Him but rather to “hate evil” because the Lord hates; ”pride, and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech." (Proverbs 8:13 NIV).
As a Born-Again Christian, you must not “be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” When you acknowledge God in all your ways, allow Him to direct your paths, turn away from sin and fear the Lord, it will; “bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” because; “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" and “the instruction of wisdom” (Prov 1:7, 3:6-8, 16:33 NIV). Fearing the Lord will bring healing and health!
“Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. “(Psalm 25:12-15 NIV)
C. Worry
1. Worry is an emotional response that triggers a physiological reaction. It is self-torment and has many of the same symptoms as fear, but it's a feeling that lingers long after the stress has lifted and the threat has passed. It can be a helpful tool for focusing the mind when a deadline looms but becomes a problem when it persists beyond the immediate threat.
D. Anxiety
1. Excessive worry leads to anxiety.
Anxiety Disorder is the most common mental illness in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million people in the U.S. It is second only to alcohol and drug abuse.
Anxiety can be distinguished from fear in several ways. When you are afraid, your fear is usually directed toward some concrete, external object or situation. The event that you fear usually is within the bounds of possibility. You might fear not meeting a deadline, failing an exam, being unable to pay your bills, or being rejected by someone you want to please. When you experience anxiety, on the other hand, you often can't specify what you're anxious about.
2. The focus of anxiety is more internal than external.
It seems to respond to a vague, distant, or unknown danger. You might be anxious about "losing control" of yourself or some situation. Or, you might feel a vague anxiety about "'something bad happening."
3. Anxiety affects your whole being. It is a physiological, behavioral, and psychological reaction all at once.
On a physiological level, anxiety may include bodily reactions such as rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, nausea, dry mouth, or sweating. On a behavioral level, it can sabotage your ability to act, express yourself, or deal with certain everyday situations.
Psychologically, anxiety is a subjective state of apprehension and uneasiness. In its most extreme form, it can cause you to feel detached from yourself and even fearful of dying or going crazy.
E. Depression
1. Constant worry and anxiety can lead to depression which is the state of feeling sad, discouraged and hopeless.
It is often a result of not getting what we want - the way we want it - when we want it. It can show up as irritability, anger, and discouragement and can even lead to thoughts of suicide. It can be very difficult to recognize and is often masked behind problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, troubled relationships, excessive work hours, poor grades at school, and difficulty in thinking and concentration. Researchers know that adults who suffer from depression were often very anxious as children.
Medical science has created drugs to deal with the problems associated with worry, anxiety, and depression. Antidepressants, like the Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Paxil®, Zoloft®, Prozac®, Lovan®, Luvox® etc.) and tranquilizers, (Valium®, Librium® and Ativan®, etc.) are prescribed by the tens of millions. These anti-depressant drugs contain Mercury and Chlorine as their primary ingredients. Mercury is connected to Alzheimer's. Exercising three times a day is eight times more effective, and a sugar pill is 20 times more effective than these anti-depressants. Research has confirmed that Paxil® shows a 700% increase in breast cancer.
In addition, some of these drugs are highly addictive; the more often you take them, the more often you need them to get the same effect. They can even cause an increase in the very problems they are designed to help.
F. Stress
1. Worry, anxiety, and depression all ultimately emanate from stress.
Stress can be an external stimulus that signals danger, often causing emotional and physical pain. The stress of unresolved negative emotions such as anger, bitterness, hatred, and unforgiveness has been credited for up to 75% of all hospital stays. When you don’t forgive those who have caused you hurt or suffering for any reason, or even if you have experienced a painful tragedy, you will have great difficulty dealing with any stressful situation throughout your life.
XII. BREAKING THE FEAR CYCLE
The good news is that the stress cycle can be broken. Optimum Nutrition, a diet high in essential nutrients, plays a vital role. Eliminating stimulants such as coffee, soft drinks, tea, and alcohol can help. The adrenal glands can be supported through diet and supplementation to have the building blocks they need for repair and regeneration.
A. Stress caused by worry, anxiety, and fear can be traced back to the underlying root: Lack of trust!
Your spirit, mind, and body can be healed by learning to trust God, which is a choice only YOU can make. You can either let go, repent of your behavior, bad habits, and negative thought processes, forgive those who have hurt you, and give your life entirely to Him, or you can hold on to it and suffer the spiritual, emotional, and physical consequences.
Note: Please see the addendum “How to manage the physiological effects of fear through proper nutrition”
B. Stress Reduction Plan
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9 NIV)
1. Daily Joy
a. When you are sad, depressed, and stressed, you should pray. And when you are happy, you should “sing songs of praise” (James 5:13).
b. It takes a willful decision to sing and make melody in your heart to be happy in the Lord. “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 59:16)
c. Whether you are feeling afraid, depressed, anxious, or bothered by some annoyance, you can exercise your ability to rejoice.
d. Encourage yourself in the Lord by recounting all the good things you have been given through Christ:
His strength, His wisdom, His identity, His love, His purposes, His power, His truth, His ability to overcome temptations, His perspectives, His peace, His patience, His kindness, His gentleness, His faithfulness, His self-control, and His plans for your life. When you saturate your life with praise to the Lord, life gets better, and things change!
When Paul and Silas praised the Lord in song, their prison doors flew open, and they were released (Acts 16:25-26). Do you want to be released from your prison of stress and strife? Then get off by yourself and start singing praise to the Lord!
2. LAUGH LOUDLY
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Prov. 17:22)
A cheerful heart, a cheerful face, and a laughing mouth are good medicine
a. It’s good for the person who is laughing and for the person who is hearing the laughter.
It can help bring healing to the mind and body. Laughter is infectious and contagious. It will draw people to you because it shows something good going on in your life! It can be a good witness for Christ. To win some people to the Lord, you must be “winsome.” You should never be afraid to laugh, even if people think you are crazy.
3. Daily Patience –
a. Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerate and forbearing spirit).
When our rights are fully yielded to the Lord, we are not apt to become irritated when things do not go our way. We become an example to others in our teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, sufferings, and how the Lord delivers us from every problem. We can communicate in verbal and non-verbal ways that our God is greater than any problem.
4. Daily Prayer-
"In every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God."
a. Prayer in the morning programs our thinking, attitudes, spirit, and actions to call on the Lord for everything.
Not only when you are feeling worried, bothered, or fearful, but even when you are waiting for your next action, ask the Lord to fill you with all spiritual wisdom in every situation. Trust Him to allow you to bear fruit in every good work and to increase in the knowledge of God. Ask Him to help you to excel in love, faith, hope, and wisdom through every encounter.
b. Pray HARD
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7)
If you don’t ask, how do you expect to find answers to some of life’s problems and perplexities? The one person we should be asking is our Creator, our Heavenly Father.
When you face difficulties and stress in life, when your back is against the wall, when you’re beat up and stressed out, you need to ask the Father for help, mercy, and grace. Jesus taught us that the Father in heaven always gives “good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11)
Phil. 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Pour your heart out to the Lord in prayer; He’ll bring peace to your heart and mind.
5. Obey Natural Laws
Cooperating with natural laws will help promote healthy living. Paul told Timothy to avoid drinking water because he was having stomach problems. (See 1 Tim 5:23)
High blood pressure, heart trouble, arthritis, diabetes, and many more problems can be avoided by eating right, exercising, and keeping excess weight off. Drinking alcohol, excessive eating, smoking cigarettes or cigars, taking illegal drugs, and other unhealthy habits will destroy the body. God wants every Christian to glorify Him in everything they do, including healthy eating and drinking. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor 10:31 NIV)
God can heal every sickness, but He doesn't want Christians intentionally making themselves sick from improper eating and unhealthy habits. God's highest priority for our physical well-being is to eat nutritiously, balanced, and healthily. It is not easy to do that when we have a long history of poor and improper eating habits.
6. Stay Humble
Nothing does more to ensure living in Divine Health than the praise and worship of a thankful heart walking in humility. The enemy is always trying to distract and ensnare. He wants to lure people away from worshipping God. His primary method is through the pride of unforgiveness.
The enemy's power is strengthened and energized by our pride. Humility is the strongest weapon to use when fighting against the enemy because it is the exact opposite of him. We overcome the enemy “by the blood of the lamb” through humility and our “testimony” by living a life of repentance and laying down our lives for others, “for they did not love their lives but laid them down for him.” (Rev 12:11 TLB. See also Rev 2:4-7, 14-17)
When a person humbles oneself before God in prayer, repents of their sin and seeks His face, He “will hear from heaven”…“and heal their land” (2 Chron 7:14-16 NLT).
Remember, when a person fights against another, doesn’t live a life of holiness, or doesn’t forgive, they give the enemy a temporary victory. But they also give him a stronghold from which he can attack them again. They are admonished to "Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (1 Peter 5:9).
Sadly, too many Believers think that "spiritual warfare" is simply using the words "I bind you” or “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus" like a magical mantra. If one wants to resist the devil so that he will flee from them, they must first humbly submit themselves to God. "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Then, as they "draw near to God," He will "draw near” to them. (James 4:6, 8, 10 NKJ)
The word “resist” means to take up full battle armor and stand in an offensive position. When people walk in pride, God actively resists and will not show them favor in any situation. When they walk in holiness and humility, submitting themselves to God, He lifts them up so that they can resist the devil, who then has to flee from them. By living in the “meekness and gentleness of Christ,” they find the “divine power to demolish strongholds” of “arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.” Humility can help them “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:1-5 NIV).
If one is not submitted and obedient to the Lordship of Jesus in their life, if they are leaning on their understanding and strength and they attempt to resist and drive out the enemy, the only response they will get is the sound of satan’s laughter echoing through the halls of hell.
7. Partake Of Communion
It is so vitally important that Christians partake of Communion to remember the broken body of Jesus and the blood that He shed for the forgiveness of sin that brought reconciliation between man and God. When a Born-Again Christian receives the emblems of His body, and blood, they partake of the power of God, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18). The blood is the power of the anointing that breaks every yoke. Taking communion signifies that they have faith in His blood. This blood was shed to forgive and save and is continually protecting from things that can attack physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Whether a Born-Again Believer partakes of Communion daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually they are to “examine” and judge themselves as David did (1 Cor 11:28).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps 139:23-24 KJV)
This was the failure of the Corinthian church. It can’t be done in only a few fleeting seconds during a church service as the elements are being prepared. A person must first spend time on their knees before the Lord, seeking His face to search their heart. Then, when the Lord reveals sin, such as unforgiveness, anger, rebellion, bitterness, fear, worry, anxiety, resentment, pride, envy, etc., in their life, they should acknowledge it, appropriate the blood to it and repent. If the sin is against another person, then they must make it right with that person. Reconciliation is the ministry of EVERY believer. (2 Cor 5:18)
If they do not examine themselves BEFORE taking communion, and sin is present, they will bring God’s chastisement; “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” (1 Cor 11:27-32 NIV)
After decades of study, I firmly believe that this is the most significant reason the Church has so much sickness and disease. The importance of this can’t be overstated. Chastisement is designed to bring the Believer back into right relationship with the Lord. God’s judgment upon His people is always to restore and never to destroy.
8. Be Resolute In Repentance
“Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:15 NIV)
God desires every Believer to live in holiness to stay healthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Sin can open doors for health problems. Repentance will close them!
Jesus said, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:19-20 NKJV)
Repentance is often thought of as ceasing to sin, doing penance, turning around, and going the opposite way. Many think that repentance is how you measure up to the high standards of God. It’s their way of saying, “I'm deeply sorry, and I promise never to do it again.”
Webster's Dictionary defines the word repent: 1) to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life; 2a) to feel regret or contrition; 2b) to change one's mind.
The first definition is what many believe Jesus taught - that only people who repent (stop sinning and change their ways) will enter the Kingdom of God. Many non-Christians do this all the time as they realize it will benefit their lives.
However, the word “repent” in the New Testament means to change one's mind or purpose for the better, to think differently about or reconsider what you are doing or have done. It does involve turning from sin, but most importantly, it means turning to God. It’s not about working one's way into heaven.
God forgave every Christian of all their sins - past, present, and future - once and for all - on the Cross. Repentance is putting one's trust in God instead of in self. Living outside the realm of faith in God inevitably results in pride and independence from God. Repentance is about trusting Him and believing He has forgiven the past, present, and future failures.
Every Christian must humble themselves before God, take personal responsibility, and repent for their unbelief that has manifested itself through fear, anxiety, worry, concern, and unforgiveness.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." (James 5:16 NIV)
9. Daily Reflection
"And God’s peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
a. Take time to contemplate the many ways that the Lord calms the stormy seas in your heart, mind, and relationships.
Thank God specifically for enabling you to be an island of calm amidst the pressures of life’s problems.
10. Daily Meditation –
"Fix your minds on these things."
Take time to memorize, study, read, discuss, and pray through the promises of God. Without a consistent habit of scriptural meditation, we do not have the capacity in ourselves to live by the power of the Holy Spirit.
11. Daily Inventory of Good Things –
"Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of those things."
Every good business takes regular inventories to see what resources are available. Without recognizing one’s resources, we can become timid, reactive, and uncertain of our coping ability.
12. ENJOY LIFE
Enjoy the things that God has given you. Be thankful for them. Don’t ever forget to say, “Thank you, Lord.” And allow these things to relieve some of the pressures and stress of this life. You need them.
“So, I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.” (Eccl. 8:15)
To share in it. To rejoice in it. To praise Him in it and for it!
“Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure”. “So we praise God for the wonderful kindness he has poured out on us because we belong to his dearly loved Son. He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding”. “God's secret plan has now been revealed to us; it is a plan centered on Christ, designed long ago according to his good pleasure.” (Eph 1:4-9 NLT)
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (1 Tim. 4:4)
13. Daily Trust –
"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything."
Like a song says, "Oh, what peace we often forfeit. Oh, what needless pains we bear! All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."
Let us learn to follow the faith and the truth in the words of the famous hymn writer who sang,
"Simply trusting every day.
Trusting in the homeward way.
Even when my faith is small.
Trusting Jesus that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly.
Trusting as the days go by.
Trusting Him whatever befalls.
Trusting Jesus that is all."
Isa. 26:3 says, "He will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on the Lord because He trusts in Him."
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Prov 3:5-8 NIV)
a. The way to breaking the stronghold of fear in your life is to “Trust in the LORD with all your heart.”
The root idea behind the Hebrew word for "trust" is to "take refuge" or "have confidence." This word carries the idea of throwing oneself down and lying on the ground before another, casting all hopes for the present and the future to someone else and finding shelter and security. You must learn to lie down at the feet of Jesus and cast “all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Pet.5:7 NIV). Give Him all the concerns and cares of your heart (the inner you - your emotions and intellect) that frustrate you. This isn’t just saying you "trust in the Lord" or act as you do; instead, you must be genuine in that "trust." You must do it "with ALL your heart."
When you trust the Lord with all your heart, you relinquish ownership of those problems. You must still deal with them, but you won’t be worried or stressed over them because they belong to Him. After all, you give them to Him. They’re His problems now!
b. Breaking the stronghold of fear requires that you “lean not on your own understanding.”
The word "lean" comes from a Hebrew word defined as "to support oneself, as though leaning for assistance." This is the same word used in Judges 16, where Samson leaned on the giant pillars supporting the Philistine temple. It is the idea of putting your weight on a crutch.
The word "understanding" refers to our human understanding, reasoning, or perspective. You are commanded to STOP leaning “on your own understanding," for this is the opposite of trust. You can’t "trust in the Lord" if you lean "on your own understanding." It's impossible.
You must “not be wise in your own eyes.” Overcoming the stronghold of fear means you must STOP trusting your reasoning, intellect, education, abilities, talents, and experience and “acknowledge Him” in everything you do. You must learn to turn away from yourself and turn to Him, remembering that He is ever present, continually loving, caring, and providing for you. When you entirely rely on the Lord to handle any situation, He will "direct your paths" and remove the obstacles. He doesn’t promise that your life will be easy and without problems. But He does promise straight paths as you journey through this life. When you learn to trust Him completely, “This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
14. Faithful or Fearful
Almost every book in the Bible has a "fear not" in it. The enemy uses fear, but God wants us to have trusting-faith in Him. Although Job was a righteous man and would not speak evil, he opened the door through thoughts of fear for the enemy to work in his life.
"For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came" (Job 3:25-26).
In other words, he said, "I did what was right, but I was afraid that God would not take care of me." In contrast,
a. Jesus challenges us to trust Him;
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Matt 21:21-22 NIV)
‘For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” (2 Timothy 1:7-9 NIV)
b. God provides tools that you can use to combat fear.
God's provision can empower you to defeat the influence and power of satan in your life. Through the power, love, and sound mind God offers, you can find freedom from fear, help others find comfort and encouragement, and help them grow in their trust in God.
”So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
c. Conquering fear is not a matter of self-determination; it is a matter of dependence on what Jesus has done for you and believing in His words, promises, and gifts.
d. It is also a matter of recognizing the enemy’s attempts at immobilizing you with fear and understanding and trusting God’s glorious grace to give you power, love, and a sound mind.
15. Standing Upon The Promises of God
a. The Bible contains almost 9,000 promises.
b. There are nearly 7,500 promises from God to man (about 85 percent of all the Bible’s promises).
Because of God’s great love, you will never face any life situation for which He has not supplied specific promises that give you mercy and grace to help in times of fear and uncertainty. His great promise to you in times of trial and testing is that He “will never leave you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Lean to cast all your fears upon God because He “cares for you” (1 Pet 5: 7).
"I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. The angel of the Lord encamps around about us and saves us out of all our troubles and delivers us- because we fear him" (Psalm 34:3-9)
PRAY – CAN WE ALL COME TO AGREEMENT ON THIS SECTION?
