Dealing with fear
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1: 7
Fear is an intimidating, and a limiting force. It can harass us into submitting to mediocrity if care is not taken. God is calling us to deal with the fears that hold us back, that limit us from being all that God wants us to be. We will look at three characters who dealt with their fear in two different ways:
Lot: Genesis 19: 15-26, 30-36. First, Lot was afraid to go to the mountains, and requested to go to a small town. Later, he left the city of Zoar for fear, and fled to the same mountains. We must not act based on our fears, but on the word of God and on the power of His grace. Ephesians 3: 20-21.
Abraham: Genesis 12: 5-15. Abraham was called to dwell in the land of Canada. He had left all to get to this land. But confronted with unexpected famine, he gave into his fears and left the land of his destiny. He moved into Egypt.
Isaac: Genesis 26: 1-5, 12-16. Isaac was confronted also with famine, and had to make a decision whether to leave for Egypt. But, thankfully, he did not give in to fear and to what he saw on ground. Isaac’s response to his fear of the famine gives us an example on how to deal with fear and satanic intimidation:
How to deal with fear
Respond to divine instruction: God’s word to Isaac was clear: 1) don’t go to Egypt, 2) stay in Gerar. His obedience to those two instructions released the fullness of God’s blessings. God has already spoken to us in many ways, and given us certain instructions in ‘secret’. It’s important to respond to God in spite of our fears.
Take Action: Isaac sowed in the land in the time of famine. He acted in spite of his fear of hunger and death. Perhaps the best way to deal with our fear is to act positively despite the suggestions and insinuations of hell. Taking the right kind of ACTON in the face of fear is perhaps the best antidote to fear.
Regular meditation in God’s Word: Meditation in the word renews our mind, and fills us with God’s love and power. Romans 12: 2. God’s word is a weapon of war that we need to have ready even before the time of conflict. Ephesians 6: 17-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. God’s word is filled with fear-killers and faith-building nuggets – like this one from Isaiah 41: 10-11: 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. "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1: 7
Fear is an intimidating, and a limiting force. It can harass us into submitting to mediocrity if care is not taken. God is calling us to deal with the fears that hold us back, that limit us from being all that God wants us to be. We will look at three characters who dealt with their fear in two different ways:
Lot: Genesis 19: 15-26, 30-36. First, Lot was afraid to go to the mountains, and requested to go to a small town. Later, he left the city of Zoar for fear, and fled to the same mountains. We must not act based on our fears, but on the word of God and on the power of His grace. Ephesians 3: 20-21.
Abraham: Genesis 12: 5-15. Abraham was called to dwell in the land of Canada. He had left all to get to this land. But confronted with unexpected famine, he gave into his fears and left the land of his destiny. He moved into Egypt.
Isaac: Genesis 26: 1-5, 12-16. Isaac was confronted also with famine, and had to make a decision whether to leave for Egypt. But, thankfully, he did not give in to fear and to what he saw on ground. Isaac’s response to his fear of the famine gives us an example on how to deal with fear and satanic intimidation:
How to deal with fear
Respond to divine instruction: God’s word to Isaac was clear: 1) don’t go to Egypt, 2) stay in Gerar. His obedience to those two instructions released the fullness of God’s blessings. God has already spoken to us in many ways, and given us certain instructions in ‘secret’. It’s important to respond to God in spite of our fears.
Take Action: Isaac sowed in the land in the time of famine. He acted in spite of his fear of hunger and death. Perhaps the best way to deal with our fear is to act positively despite the suggestions and insinuations of hell. Taking the right kind of ACTON in the face of fear is perhaps the best antidote to fear.
Regular meditation in God’s Word: Meditation in the word renews our mind, and fills us with God’s love and power. Romans 12: 2. God’s word is a weapon of war that we need to have ready even before the time of conflict. Ephesians 6: 17-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. God’s word is filled with fear-killers and faith-building nuggets – like this one from Isaiah 41: 10-11: 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. "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
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