In a Christian’s life's journey, embracing unwavering faith and trust in God becomes not just a choice but a lifeline. It's crucial to recognize the relentless battle against fear every believer faces.
Let's consider why succumbing to fear should never be an option for those who have anchored their trust in the Almighty.
First and foremost, the fabric of Christian living is woven with the threads of faith. Fear, however, seeks to unravel this tapestry, introducing doubt and uncertainty.
But hold on, for the Word of God reminds us in Isaiah 41:10, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
In a world saturated with uncertainties, our anchor as Christians is securely fastened to the steadfast promises of God. Fear may clamor for attention, but our trust in the Lord silences its noise. Proverbs 3:5-6 implores us to "trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." This isn't merely a suggestion; it's a blueprint for a victorious Christian life.
Moreover, fear tends to paralyze us spiritually. It whispers the possibility of failure, rejection, or inadequacy, rendering believers motionless in their pursuits. However, Philippians 4:13 declares, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Fear loses its grip when one realizes the empowering truth that Christ's strength is a boundless resource available for every step of the journey.
Think about it: fear robs Christians of the joy and peace promised by Christ. The gospel is about more than just salvation; it is about living a victorious life. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid."
Moreover, fear is often rooted in the unknown. Yet, Romans 8:28 assures believers that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose." Understanding that God orchestrates every detail for the good of His children dismantles the foundation of fear.
Fear is a defeated foe in the presence of faith. Therefore, as you journey through life, remember the words of 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear may knock, but your faith in God will always answer, rendering fear powerless in the face of divine assurance.
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1. Fear Hinders Spiritual Growth
Fear is the ultimate roadblock to spiritual growth. It's like this big, looming barrier that can mess with our journey as Christians, holding us back from fully embracing our purpose and calling.
First off, fear can be the annoying voice in our heads that says, "Hold up, don't take that step of faith—it's too risky!" It's like a caution sign that prevents us from diving into the deep waters of God's plan for our lives. This hesitation can stunt our spiritual growth, keeping us in the kiddie pool when God's calling us to the ocean of His purpose.
Take a minute to think about this: fear can straight-up stop us from doing what we're meant to do. It's like having a dream job offer on the table, but fear's telling you to stick with the familiar and safe. God, however, is all about pushing us out of our comfort zones.
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2. Fear Diminishes Our Witness
When fear sets up shop in our hearts, it's like putting a muzzle on our confidence to share the gospel. We end up with this internal struggle, questioning if we're qualified, if we'll be judged, or if we'll stumble over our words like we're doing a verbal gymnastics routine.
Here's the deal: fear can make us forget that we're not the ones with the power to change hearts. We are trying to flex our spiritual muscles, but fear has us doing those embarrassing, wobbly push-ups.
Imagine this: you're at a party, and someone asks, "What's your story with Jesus?" Fear might whisper, "Nah, keep it to yourself; they'll think you're preaching," but faith? Oh, faith steps up, knowing God's got something life-changing to share. Faith is the swagger in our step, the confidence in our voice, as we spill the truth about the love and grace that's changed our lives.
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3. Fear Creates Doubt and Unbelief
Fear isn't just a buzzkill; it's like planting doubt and unbelief in the garden of our minds. When we let fear take the wheel, it's like we're handing over the GPS of our thoughts to doubt, and suddenly, we're lost in the wilderness of uncertainty.
Here's the scoop: fear messes with our mental playlist, drowning out the sweet melody of God's promises. It's like we're wearing doubt-tinted glasses, unable to see the vivid hues of hope painted across the canvas of God's Word. But wait! Psalm 56:3 says, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." This means that fear might show up, but trusting God kicks it to the curb.
Imagine you're navigating the twists and turns of life, and fear starts whispering, "What if God's promises are just wishful thinking?" But Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised." This means that God ain't playing games; His promises are as solid as a rock.
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4. Fear Robs Us of God's Peace and Joy
Fear isn't just a joy stealer; it's like a sneaky thief snatching away the peace and happiness that God wants us to enjoy. When fear crashes the party, it brings along its pals—anxiety and worry—and suddenly, the atmosphere of peace and joy is replaced with a storm of unease.
Imagine this: you're resting in God's promises, but fear kicks in, throwing a bunch of "what ifs" your way. Next thing you know, peace is out the window, and joy is doing a disappearing act.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." This means that fear can't mess with God's peace; it's like a fortress around our hearts.
Think about it: fear wants us to think we're in control, but trusting in God is like handing over the reins to the ultimate director. It's saying, "God, you've got this," when fear tries to convince us we're drowning.
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5. Fear Contradicts God's Command to Not Be Anxious
Fear and anxiety are like the unwanted guests crashing the party that God specifically told us to keep out.
Life throws a curveball, and fear steps up, saying, "Worry about this, stress about that." But God, in Matthew 6:34, gives us the ultimate reality check: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." So don't let fear steal today's peace by worrying about tomorrow.
Think about it: God didn't just say, "Don't be anxious," and left us hanging. He equipped us with practical tools—prayer, His Word, and His presence—to combat fear head-on. When fear shows up with its bag of worries, we counter it with a prayerful attitude, a mind steeped in Scripture, and a heart seeking God's company.
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6. Fear Limits Our Potential and Hinders Our Blessings
When fear sets up shop in our minds, it's like putting a cap on our potential and slamming the door on the blessings and opportunities God is trying to hand us.
God has a buffet of blessings and opportunities lined up for us, but fear's standing guard, telling us, "Nah, stay where it's safe." It's like missing out on a feast because we're too scared to grab a plate. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." God's got a plan, and fear ain't part of it.
Now, let's talk about stepping outside our comfort zones. It's like opening the door to a room where God's blessings are waiting. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, nor be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." God is with us in the discomfort, cheering us on.
Fear wants us to believe that staying in our comfort zone is safe. But God's economy doesn't work on the currency of fear; it's all about faith. It's like Jesus telling Peter to step out of the boat onto the water—scary, right? But as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on water (Matthew 14:29). The moment fear took over, he started sinking.
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7. Overcoming Fear Brings Glory to God
When we choose to face our fears head-on and trust in the Almighty, it's like we're putting on a display of His faithfulness and power for the whole world to see.
Imagine this: fear is knocking on the door, but we decide to trust God anyway. It's like saying, "God, I believe you're bigger than this fear." Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought the LORD, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears." Trusting God isn't wishful thinking; it's a game-changer that brings about deliverance.
With faith, our lives become a living testimony, a visual aid for those around us. When they see us standing tall in the face of fear, it's like we're shouting, "Look what God can do!" Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father, who is in heaven." Overcoming fear becomes a beacon, pointing people to the greatness of our Heavenly Father.
On the battlefield of life, fear might be firing shots, but we've got a secret weapon: faith. It's not just a shield; it's a mighty force that crushes fear under its weight. So, here's the battle cry: choose faith over fear, and let's trust in the promises of the Almighty.
It's time to rise. Rise above the whispers of fear and above the doubts that try to dim our faith. Let's be the generation that stands firm in the face of uncertainty, not because we're fearless, but because our faith is greater than our fears.
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Originally published Monday, 19 February 2024.
