Out of the Abundance of the Heart

Wednesday August 24, 2016

Building People of Substance for Works of Power

Free from fear, Amigos!

A few years ago, I was prompted to run the Bible references for the phrase “Fear Not!” To my surprise, that term, or some slight variation of it, is used over 100 times in the good old King James Bible. It seems that God doesn’t want His people to live in fear. With that thought in mind, I prayed that God would show me all the places where I was allowing fear to control my life. Wow! I spent the next three years finding new areas where fear, worry, and doubt (often disguised as “wisdom”) controlled my thinking and my doing. Fear is a warning light on my spiritual dashboard: “Check the oil, brother.”

So, when I find myself with a case of fear, what do I do with it? First, I need to understand two great truths: Number 1, God doesn’t lead us with fear. Even in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil (Ps 23:4). Number 2, fear is always self-centered. We are worried about what will happen to us, or we are afraid we will lose what we think is ours, or fear we will fail to receive what we think we deserve. Our self-esteem, our finances, or our personal relationships are being threatened, and we are afraid. Fear drives us away from faith, even causing us to doubt the providence of God. It’s gotta go!

In your quest to live truly free, you can apply these steps to each of your fears:

1. Write down what area of your life is threatened. Exactly what are you afraid will happen? Is your self-esteem (pride) threatened? Is it financial provision or security? Is it a relationship with a loved one?

2. Ask God’s forgiveness for self-centeredness. 1 Corinthians 10:24

3. Ask for grace to walk ahead. 2 Corinthians 12:9

4. Find a Bible promises that covers each fear. Romans 10:17

5. Meditate on the promise. What would you do if you really believed what God said? Joshua 1:8

6. Speak the promise out loud. “I will not fear!” Hebrews 13:6

7. Take active steps to face the fear head on. Recruit help to go with you if need be, but stop running away. James 1:25

Somebody Said: The first duty of man is to conquer fear; he must get rid of it, he cannot act till then. Thomas Carlyle

Scripture Reading: Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

(Isaiah 41:10 MSG)

Freedom begins when I am no longer intimidated by life, by people, or by fantasies of doom. The life of faith requires that we break free from the tentacles of anxiety and dread. The horizon is sunny if we can muster the courage to look up and see it. The adventure continues!

Pastor Virgil
fcftucson.org
520-792-FCFT