Fearlessly Courageous
From the Desk of Dennis Piller
6 30 2023
FEAR IS A LIAR!
Did you know that “Fear the Lord” is the most common command in all of scripture? Meaning we are to approach God with reverence, devotion, and respect that takes precedence over all other things and persons. This may be hard to fathom, but that includes our love and peace with God through Christ. Even that cannot compare or ever replace a deep sense of awe we should have because of who He is. When Peter told Jesus He was the Christ, Jesus responded that flesh and blood did not reveal that to you. Mark 8:29 Wrapping your head around “Who He is” vs a few dynamic characteristics of God is unfathomable without the Holy Spirit.
However, we discussed yesterday, how the Israelites asked God to leave them at the base of Sanai. It is that other fear of God that can drive us away from God and outside of His will. As we read, it did not take the people of God long to swing the pendulum in the wrong direction. They stopped looking at who he is…at what He had already done for them, and were caught up in the fear of the unknown… We are told fear is simply the result of uncertainty, which is simply distrust of the plan of God. It’s not that anxiety is necessarily a sin, but that anxiety is the act of experiencing fears and worries that one wouldn’t experience if one truly follows and shows commitment to God.
So, how do we surrender our anxiety to God? Jesus sets that example for us. Every day, you can offer up your worries to God in prayer. Hand them over, surrender them, to him, and trust him to take care of those matters. Honestly, sometimes I have to wear out my knees laying them at His altar because I keep picking them back up. We must be committed to saying yes to trusting him and not giving in to that uncertainty which can be the seeds of full-blown fear. The Prize is not just His perfect peace. It is Jesus himself.
The Bible instructs us to “[not] worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done” (Philippians 4:6, NLT). Not worrying is not enough, we are to pray and when we have done all else…stand and believe in God’s word.
Why is the Fear of God a thing?
It is a sense of reverential awe. It is a positive fear that leads us to see our place in the order of creation. In many ways, it is a reminder of our smallness. It is a fear that moves us to love God for God’s sake and to avoid anything that will separate us from that love. Roman 8:38
Does God use fear tactics? No, it isn’t his nature, although he can sometimes be very direct. When God speaks, he typically speaks through his word and in and through situations. But be assured you will feel it in your hearts and minds. He speaks in terms of peace, not anxiety and fear.
The biggest fears that hold people back in life, according to an emotional wellness coach are:
- Fear of failure. (Fear can often be more detrimental than the failure itself).
- Fear of not being good enough. …
- Fear of disappointing others.
- What others think of us
- People who might lose interest in you
- Disappointing people whose opinion you value
- Last min headaches or stomach aches for fear of failing
- Procrastinate when you know you must press forward
Most of us fail at more things than we succeed at. You know that right? It’s how we grow… how we discover better ways…It is the discovery of our future. But fear of failing, what others will think of us etc…paralyzes us and limits our purpose in life, kills our dreams, motivation, and robs our happiness. And it’s all a lie!
There are 7000 God promises to build you up in these moments of temptation but often it is an issue of wrong thinking. How many promises do you need? Fear is just a thought…It is not who you are. Fear is like these unwanted and unexpected guests that you can refuse. Believe in God’s truth that even if you fall, even if you fail, if you are living for God, he will make all things work for his glory and our good! We can choose to believe the lie or seek Godly counsel, and press forward knowing that either way we win. You either succeed at your endeavor or should you fail, God will work it for your good, in your growth, to take you along the path of his plan for you. Fear is a liar, treat him that way and trust God and refuse to let that thought grow roots.
