Thoughts on Fear

These are some of my thoughts on hopefully an upcoming ebook about fear. 

I would welcome any comments or suggestions.  

I am considering this an ongoing evolving and changing project.
If you stop back you will hopefully see that there are additions, edits, and changes made.
Slowly this blog post is growing into something much bigger than itself.  I am humbled and honored to share my thoughts with you. Formating and organizing my thoughts.
Thank you for reading.

NIV - New International Version
CJB - Complete Jewish Bible 

What would it look like to lead a fearless life? I am not talking about jumping out of airplanes or climbing mountains, unless that is what you are called to do, but living your life everyday without fear crippling your decisions and holding you back? -I am talking about going through your day without being held back by fear. What would it look like to totally trust God to take away any fear you may have while going through your daily life?

I have written this book not only for my readers, but for myself as well.  I need to be reminded of God's promises everyday.

One of the first incidents of fear in the Bible is Adam, who said "I hid because I was afraid." Why was he afraid?
He had sinned and the guilt from his sin he knew God would be angry. God asks "Where are you?" Of course God knew where he was physically, but I think He was asking where are you in your thinking? Why did you do this? God already knew what Adam and Eve had done. This is the typical response in the fallen human about sin, we try to hid and are afraid of being found out.


Chapters
Unhealthy fears
Many people have unhealthy fears often called phobias.  There are an unlimited number of items that people can have, including insects, dust, and any other item known to man.  These can be limiting and if you suffer from any of these I would suggest getting professional help.  There is no shame in getting good Christian counseling and support when needed.
Fear of other peoples opinions
Fear of the future
Fear of Gods judgement
Fear of trusting others
Healthy fears
Fear of God
Respect of natural consequences such as gravity
Justice or weather (rain,falls on,the just and the unjust) There are consequences even from confessed sin.
God will forgive us of any sin, but we still may need to live with the consequences in this world. A person who jumps from the roof of a 20 story building will most likely die, whether a believer or not, unless God intervenes. This is the law of gravity.  It may rain on a day you have a scheduled outside activity.

Fear of other peoples opinions
In his book Never Go Back Dr. Henry Cloud talks about this issue. In the chapter titled " Never again believe that you can please everyone he states -
"The Bible states we are to have one Master and one Master only." He imagines a conversation with God in which He asks why you didn't take a certain opportunity. And the person will say because ________ would have been upset.  Not a good reason.
Sometimes decisions you make will upset other people.  We must please God and not man.  We are not here to serve two masters.
Luke 6:26a " Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you."
Matthew 5:11 in the NIV says "How blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and tell all kinds of vicious lies about you because you follow Me."
If people are saying bad things about you because of your faith, God says you are blessed.  I don't know about you, but I would rather have Gad call me blessed than get a compliment from anyone else.

 Fear of finding God
There is another fear that I call the Fear of finding God
There is an episode in the TV  series Monk, who is if you don't know a highly frightened and obsessive-compulsive detective,  where he meets his brother. Their father had abandoned them as children, and his brother asks the question, 

"You are a detective. Why didn't you ever look for him?

Monk's response, "I'm afraid I might find him."

I believe this fear is keeping many away from seeking God.  Because if they find Him, they will have to admit they are sinful creatures in need of a Savior. They will have to deal with Him.  Some insist God does not exist for this reason.  They don't even want to begin to seek Him.   Many people would rather remain blissfully ignorant and not face the emptiness in their life, feeling it might limit their freedom. Nothing could be further from the truth.   What they don't realize that they are rejecting the very Person that can give then that freedom from the bondage they are in?
Why do we let these fears control us? Especially.when we have the freedom that Christ came to this earth to give us?
Are we really trusting God when we don't move ahead because of some unmerited fear?
Fear of the Future

John Macarthur in his sermon on worry states "You don't see birds carrying around little briefcases of food. God provides for them."  And the Bible says He will provide what we need.  In his book A Beautiful Defeat, Richard Malarkey says " God knows what we need and who we need." He will put people in our path that will help us, and that we can help on our journey in this life.   

And what about trust? Psalm  Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on our own understanding.
This is a verse many of us have heard since we were children.  What does it really mean?
Not to trust in anything in this world.  Our careers, possessions, status, or anything else.  If you have a fear of these things going away, then maybe you need to check what is really first in your life.
Do not fear man but fear God. 

When fear enters our mind we need to put on the full armor of God and resist the source of fear and worry, which is the devil. God has not given us a spirit of fear but freedom.
Richard Malarkey in his book A Beautiful Defeat says "Don't enter the battle without your armor."
You will fighting a battle every day of your time on this earth.  Fighting against the flesh, and you will need to be prepared.  Fighting against the evil one who wants to keep you in fear and bondage.  

When fear turns to worry
When we fear something it controls our mind and we dwell on it. That leads to worry. And what does the Bible say about worry? "Do not worry about what you will eat or drink."
NKJV says God does not give us an "anxious mind."

Fear of God
We should have a healthy fear of God, not in being afraid, but a respect and honor of Him. Many people think a fear of God is being afraid of what He might do to us.  And if you are an un-repented sinner, then I would be afraid of God's wrath in a real sense of His judgement. God is a loving God, but He is also a  just God, and sin will be punished." Vengance is mine"  He will punish un-repentant sinners.
But, this is different than the other fears I am speaking about, another definition of the word.

The fullness of His grace 
I John -  The fullness of His grace has been revealed it is all we need, all satisfaction, all that we need has been revealed in His son to us through His word.  And His grace and forgiveness can relieve the suffering of bondage to sin. You don't have to be a slave anymore. 

Steps to take to stay grounded

Prayer
God wants us to communicate with Him. Even after the fall He wanted to be with Adam and Eve, wanting to fellowship with them. Even asking Adam where he was, but being omnipresent he already knew where he was. Praying to God will help calm any fear.  He promises to give us peace. Be honest about what is going on in your life and how you are feeling.  Are you overwhelmed, tired, frustrated, or needing peace? Prayer is the best place to be.  In God's presence and communicating to Him about your circumstance.  He already knows you better than you know yourself.  He is omnipotent and omniscient.

Read the Bible 
Another way God does speak to us is through His word.  He has given us this written record of what He wants us to know and the history of how He has worked through others. Many people want God to speak to them through some "special revelations." They look for God to speak through signs and wonders. Yet they don't want to read what He has already spoken and given to us as His word.

Fellowship
The evil one, the devil, would like nothing more than to isolate us, just at our most vulnerable time.  He may put thoughts in your mind like," no one else will understand what  you are going through", or" you will appear weak to others."  There are other brothers and sisters in Christ who are willing and able to help.  If you don't know of any, find some.  They are out there, and may be closer than you think. Isolation at this time,  can be a tool for the devil.  I can understand the need to be alone for a time to process thoughts and work through some fears, but only for a time, then seek out good Christian fellowship.

 

Rest
For some reason God created the human body with a need for rest and sleep.  If you are not getting proper sleep it can lead to what psychologists call ( look it up ) I have found that things look different after a good nights sleep and Joy comes in the morning and His blessings are new every morning(.Bible ref.) Sometimes all we need is a new perspective. A simple fix. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to sleep, if I am working on something that I really get involved in, it seems that sleep is an interuption.  Then I have to remind myself that being human requires that I sleep at some point.
Sometimes all we need is a fresh, new perspective.

We shouldn't worry about what other people think
We should be more concerned about what God thinks
Bible verse about fearing man or fearing God
Rest for God's people is very important. "Joy comes in the morning." Things may take on a new perspective in the light of a new day.

Food
God also created the human body with the need for food.  Eating healthy meals and limiting fatty foods is a good step.  A hungry person is easily distracted. Moslow was right about his heirachy of needs, the basic ones being food and shelter.  But when basic needs are taken care of, us humans can get on with the real reason we are here.  To serve God and others.

Fellow Christians
There may be someone in your life that you can talk to, and you may be helping them just as much as they are helping you.  Counseling and just plain communicating can do a world of good, Just knowing there is someone else on this planet that cares is so important.  Also, someone to pray with and for you is important.  "Wherever two or three are gathered in my name." This is more that just fellowship and beyond the "have a good week" conversation that we may have in church.  I mean getting to know someone with all their faults and weakness.
Proverbs ref
God will put others in our path on this earth to help. Never underestimate a listening ear, or a helpful elder Christian who can offer advice. Sometimes even formal counseling, but it may not have to be.  Just a person to come to with questions.

Fear of God's judgement
Let's look at a common fear that a lot of people have.  A fear of God's judgement.  If you are not a follower of Jesus, I can understand why you would be afraid of the Creator of the earth and His judgement.  You are lost in your sins, and have no hope apart from Jesus.  This subject is not very popular in today's churches.  A lot of churches today just have a good moral message with no scripture for a text.  Without Christ we would all be lost and Paul says "miserable men."  If you have questions about this, then I would urge you to contact a local pastor or friend and talk to them.
If you are a Christian, there is no need for a fear of God's judgement.  There are many verses in the Bible that talk about forgiveness of sins. One in the Psalm 103:12 says "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."  And as we all know east and west never meet.  That's pretty far.  That's
true forgiveness.
We used to be "slaves to sin," but we are "no longer slaves to sin." We have freedom in Christ's forgiveness.
Another one of my favorites is Romans 8:37 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."  In the Complete Jewish Bible it is translated as "superconquerors" I like that word because it brings to mind having super powers to defeat sin.  Later on in verses 38 and 39 Paul states several things that can not separate us from the love of Christ. And in fact covers everything when he says in verse 39 "neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
We are conquerors over anything that we fear.  Nothing can keep us from that perfect love that casts out fear.

Verses about fear

Matt 11:28  Come to me I will give you rest

This rest also is the absence of fear. You can not rest when you are fearful

II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. NIV
CJB - not timidity, but of power and self-discipline

Romans 8:15 - For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out "Abba, Father." - NIV   (Adonai, my Lord)

I John 4:18 No fear in love, perfect love casts out fear, fear involves torment, he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  NIV

Luke 12:32 - Do not fear, little flock for it's your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom  - NIV

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.  NIV
CJB says "everything I feared"

John 14:1 - Let not your heart be troubled.  You believe in God, believe also in me."
Jesus words to His disciples. He would be arrested and crucified, and I'm sure they were frightened and confused.  They needed comfort and peace, and release from fear. Imagine being one of them knowing they would soon be alone in the world, not knowing what would happen.


Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and he answered me: He delivered me from all my fears."
 This is a Psalm of David when he was fearing for his life.  He delivered David and the same God will  do the same for us. He understands and has lived on this earth as a human, with all the temptations and emotions that we all feel.
These are the promises of God.

Phillipians 4:7 And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus NKJV We cant understand this peace and we weren't meant to. Its beyond us. Far above us. We just need to accept that fact. And then,in vs. 11 Paul talks about "being content in all circumstances." To be content, satisfied , enough, no matter what is happening in this world. Or in your world. That's what most people are searching for. That is easy to say, but very difficult to live out. Still, God will give us the strength. Even the beatles in there own misguided way said give peace a chance. They wrote songs about it. It was not the same type of peace, but it is an example how everyone is searching for peace.  I JOHN "The fullness of his grace" it's enough . What peace can they have who are not at peace with God ~ Matthew Henry True peace can only come by trusting in God. Many will search for it by many.other paths. Intro Definition of fear Afraid of the dark Fear of the devil  Main problem is either they take the devil too seriously or not serious enough find quote The devil is not a horned red being with a pitchfork. He can be a roaring lion looking to devour Bible ref. Or sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.or Ortberg says in his book Soul Search broken car story Satan is a powerful being but he has already been defeated and he knows his ultimate destination. It has been his goal since the deception in the garden of Eden to take as many people as he can with him. So how do we deal with this evil force? James Resist the devil and he will flee from you.Bible REF. Remember if you are a Christian the Holy Spirit lives inside of you and if we resist the devil he will flee. Its not like the.old Flip Wilson routine the devil made me do it. The devil cant.make you do anything . He can and will tempt you like he tempted Jesus. Bible ref. Its not a matter of if you are tempted but when. If you are alive you will be tempted. But be encouraged Jesus said I have overcome the world Bible ref. The devil has been defeated. Matthew 10:28 Fear God and not man. Fear not I.have overcome the world Bible ref. Chapter on fearing God

Fear can lead to bondage( Romans 8:15) Bondage is slavery that can lead to inaction and worry.  Jesus came to free us from this bondage.  He came with His perfect love to cast out fear (I John 4:18)  Fear involves torment.
Have you met a fearful person or experienced this yourself?  They are a tormented person, It is pervasive.  Everything is a problem to be feared. They are miserable, negative, and you can see it in their face.  It must be a terrible way to go through life, a tormented life.  I don't believe Jesus wants us to live in fear.  That is bondage to sin, and He came to break those bonds.
We dont have to be a slave to sin. Romans 8

What do we really want in life? What are most people searching for? Peace. Peace for a restless soul.  The restless soul can only be calmed by forgiveness from the living God.
These are the promises of God, through the Old and New Testament, the infalble Word of God throughout the ages.  It is dependable, reliable, unchanging, trustworthy, secure and beautiful.
I can rely on God's word and promises because everyone of them is true, and so can you. 
 I rely on God to give me peace and save me from all my fears, and so can you.
I urge you to "taste and see that the Lord is good"( Psalm 34:8)