=Have you ever considered how your emotions affect your life? One emotion we must deal with is fear. It can affect your thoughts, conduct, and even your physical health.
Satan uses the emotion of fear to prevent us from enjoying what the Lord has planned for us. Almighty God is greater than any fear your mind can imagine, and He wants us to walk in courage and faith.
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. —Isaiah 41:10
The human reaction of fear is not a sin; in fact, there are some fears which are useful or even wise.
Protective fear, for example, usually helps keep us safe. There is also the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.
The negative type of fear, which can be a pothole for us, is the kind of anxiety that damages and enslaves us. God told Joshua
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9
So this morning we will look at 5 truths surrounding fear.
1. The nature of fear.
Why is fear so damaging?
Jesus had selected his disciples and was about to send them out into the mission field. He gathered them and gave them instructions including this
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. —Matthew 10:2
We may have moments of fear, but we should remember God’s promise that He will use all things for our benefit and His glory.
2. The second aspect today is sources of fear.
Sometimes fear can result from things we have been taught or come from our own imaginations. Fear of the dark, fear of strangers, fear of animals, etc.
SRC has in its history been drawn to a scripture that is most relevant for this sermon.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. —John 10:10
Fear is listening to the lie, it allows the enemy to distract and pull us from our walk with God. Third for today, let’s look at
3. The consequences of fear.
The fearful person is often afraid to step out where God leads them and, as a result, will be incapable of launching out on the great adventures God has prepared for them.
The fearful person longs to be free from their anxieties, but to be free they will have to give in to what their most terrified of—lack of control.
A study of the wisdom scriptures offers us many examples of not being afraid, of relying on God, of trusting God. Here is just one example
In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? —Psalm 56:10-11
If you’re suffering from fear can I encourage you to dig into the promises of God in His word?. That leads me into our next truth concerning fear.
4. The way to be freed from fear.
Consider the writings of Paul to the church in Galatia
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. —Galatians 2:20
We place our faith in Jesus because he loved us and died for us.
Only God can free you from this devastating pothole. Seek Him through His Word and in prayer, and trust Him to set you free. Lastly for today,
5. Why there is no need to fear.
The Lord is with you. He is not out of reach in some distant place, but is there beside you at every moment. He is your God, and He loves you more than anyone else ever could. Again we look at our sermon verse
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. —Isaiah 41:10
God will strengthen us and help us, no matter what happens. Every person in the world has an opportunity to live this earthly life to the fullest, but some do not take it because they spend their time in bondage to fear.
Don’t allow that to happen to you, the writer of Hebrews reminds us of that fact
for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” —Hebrews 13:5b-6
No matter what the Lord calls you to do, He will give you the power and wisdom to accomplish it. He promises to be there for you, to love you, to walk with you.
So even though fear may come, be an honest response to events in our lives, be a reaction to a natural weakness we have as humans, will we trust God? Silent screen actress Dorothy Bernard once said
SLIDE 9 Dorothy Bernard Quote
Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
I don’t know all the details on why she said it, I don’t know if she was a woman of faith. But as I considered the quote, I considered the power behind the prayer is God, and that power is available for all of us today when we face fears in our lives.