Triumph Over Giants From Within (4) - Fear
Believers will also face times of fear. I am not
talking about phobias, such as a fear of heights, a fear of being trapped in an
enclosed place, or even a fear of wide open spaces. I am referring to those
fears that bring dread to the hearts of God¡¦s children; a loss of peace; doubt
about the heavenly Father¡¦s love; destruction of our faith, and even causes us
to turn away from God. In days past ten scouts were sent to spy on the good
land of Canaan. Because they were frightened when they saw the giant Anak
tribesmen and the large and fortified city walls, they brought a negative
report to the people, so that fear struck the entire Israelite multitude. They
grumbled against God and refused to trust in the Lord who had led them along
the way every day. So they were punished and wandered in the wilderness for 40
years. (Numbers 13-14, Deuteronomy 1:19-40) We can see then that the
psychological reaction of fear can spread very quickly in a crowd. Fear and
distrust are dual sins, often connected together, that not only generate a loss
of internal peace, but will cause the loss of God¡¦s grace. It¡¦s also like Saul
and the Israelite army averting battle out of fear when they saw the
Philistinian giant Goliath. (1 Samuel 17) In those days the people were
terrified because of the giant Anak tribesmen and Goliath. Today we will also
generate fear when experiencing difficult circumstances. Yet God wishes that
His children will be able to overcome these giants that create fear.
To triumph over this giant from within ¡V fear ¡V I
have the following aspects from the bible to share with everyone:
1.
Confront your inner
fear, use a spirit of reliance on God to face it, and don¡¦t try to evade it. Of
course I am not proposing creating panic for oneself, cultivating and
developing a seedling of fear without reason. But if fear the giant does
arrive, you should face it with honesty and not run away. ¡§When I am afraid, I
will trust in you.¡¨ (Psalm 56:3) If you cannot confront it alone, you can
articulate your inner fear to a pastor or a spiritually mature member, so that
they can share your burden and intercede with prayer.
2.
Admit your
inner fear to God. A long-held fear is a demonstration of disbelief in God. Not
believing is a sin, so you must confess your sin to God. For the Lord has said, ¡§Don¡¦t be
afraid, just believe.¡¨ (Mark 5:36) Perhaps you are unable to control the
feeling of dread yourself, but you can use your will to submit to God¡¦s word
and seek his help. ¡§I sought the Lord, and He answered me, He delivered me from
all my fears.¡¨ (Psalm 34:4)
3.
Redeem
God¡¦s promises. Fear generates despair and disappointment, grumbles against God
and forgetfulness of God¡¦s promises. I suggest that everyone write the precious
promises of God on small cards, and leave them at different places in the home,
such as on the refrigerator door, bathroom mirror, desk, dining table, bedroom
door etc. Prepare for your weak self more opportunities to see God¡¦s words, in
order to remind yourself that one belongs to God and is His beloved child, so
that you will not be conquered by fear. The following are some of God¡¦s
precious promises: Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 23:4, 27:1-5, 91:1-7, Isaiah 41:10,
44:8, 49:16, Matthew 6:26.
4.
Deepen
knowledge and experience of the love of God. From the Bible we know that the
opposite of fear is love. ¡§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.¡¨ (1 John 4:18)
Just like a child who awakens suddenly from a nightmare, the mother will
embrace him in her bosom, and profusely offer comfort and loving concern. We
who believe in Christ and are saved must not forget that we belong to God and
are in His hands. For God has promised, ¡§I give them eternal life and they
shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.¡¨ (John 10:28) Dear
brothers and sisters, let us pursue more understanding of that long, wide and
deep love of God through the bible, so that we will not be overcome by fear.
By: Daniel To