With news stories focusing on all the bad things in the world, and people all over the world having constant access to all of it on the internet, it is easy for one to live in constant fear of everything at any given time. No matter what is going on around us, God doesn't expect the Church to be seized up with fear. He cannot use us for others to be saved if fear, worry, or anxiety rules our lives, which is the unhealthy type of fear that consumes many today.
Healthy fear is used to protect us and keep us safe. God gave us this response to steer clear of dangerous situations or people. Nothing wrong with that.
The fear I refer to is when a person walks through life in a constant state of unease or worry just waiting for something bad to happen. They try to control every aspect of life around them and others to prevent something bad from happening. Being unable to do so, they're in a constant state of fear, worry, and anxiety. They can never relax as fear grips their lives. God does not want us to live this way. He wants us to trust in Him, depend upon Him everyday of our lives. There are so many passages to support this. Let's look at them.
John 14:27 NKJV
[27] Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Psalms 34:4 NKJV
[4] I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
[10] Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Joshua 1:9 NKJV
[9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV
[6] Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalms 23:4 NKJV
[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 91:2-16 NIV
[2] I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” [3] Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. [4] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. [5] You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, [6] nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. [8] You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. [9] If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, [10] no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. [11] For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; [12] they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. [13] You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. [14] “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. [16] With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalms 55:22 NKJV
[22] Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Proverbs 29:25 NKJV
[25] The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
Proverbs 3:25-26 NKJV
[25] Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; [26] For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
Psalms 23:6 NKJV
[6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Psalms 46:11 NKJV
[11] The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
Isaiah 35:4 NIV
[4] say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
Isaiah 54:14 NKJV
[14] In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.
See? God is in control. He provides for us, protects us, and keeps us. So there is no need to constantly live in fear. He is in control!! He loves all of us with His perfect love. So that should take away our fears.
1 John 4:18 NIV
[18] There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Have confidence in God's perfect love for you, believe Him at His Word, trust in Him, and that will get rid of fear, worry, and anxiety!! Being in Christ, live in the freedom He provides!! Trust God, relax, and enjoy your lives. Do this:
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
[7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
[6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5-8 NIV
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. [8] This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Please share with others.
Love you all,
Jeffrey Post
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