The feelings of fear are real, and often extreme, even if the threat is not real. Psychologists say we have 4 responses to fear… fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. But in Christ, we have another option… faith.

What are some of your irrational fears?
What are some of your very real fears?
Why are we so often afraid?

God doesn’t want us to fear. In fact, one of the most spoken commands in all of scripture is “do not be afraid.” It is there 365 times. Spoken to people like Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Elijah, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, the disciples, and Paul.

Why do you think God said “Do not fear” so much?

In Matthew 8, Jesus addresses fear head on.

Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. —Matthew 8:24 (NLT)

Now, if you’re a Christian, this is one of your greatest fears right here, isn’t it? … That the storms of life have come upon you, and Jesus is sleeping.

Why is this something we are afraid of?
Why does it feel like Jesus is sleeping through our storms some times?

The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” —Matthew 8:25-26a (NLT)

Notice that Jesus declares that faith is the opposite of fear.

Why is this true?
In what ways does fear stunt our faith?
What is Jesus saying here?… What is he not saying?

Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. —Matthew 8:26b (NLT)

How would you feel in that moment?

The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” —Mark 4:41 (NLT)

Technically, Mark says… “the disciples feared a great fear.”
How is this fear different?

When we fear anything other than God, we are enslaved. But our freedom doesn’t simply come by having no fear, but rather fearing the right thing. … And this fear is not an immobilizing fear… rather, the fear of the Lord brings freedom… it brings peace.

If you have time… read through these verses and discuss what they say about fearing the Lord.
Psalm 34:7,9; 85:9; 103:11,13; 115:11; 145:19… Pr. 9:10; 14:26; 19:23; 22:4.

May we never forget that God is greater than anything else that we might be afraid of.