Overcoming Fear
20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue (John 9:20-22, NIV)
Fear can paralyze our ministry for God. Even though you cannot see fear we all recognize that nervous, uneasy feeling in the pit of our stomach that keeps turning over and over again the possibility of impending doom! Often inside the church we face many challenges the least of which is quarrelling brothers or sisters of Christ. Outside of the church we face a world who hates and sometimes wishes us harm because we believe in a resurrected Christ (John 15:18). When we look into an unknown future we sometimes imagine the worst things that can happen to us like cancer, loosing our job, having our mate run off with another person and most of all premature death. Whether real or imagined, the effects of fear are the same: anxiety, sleepless nights and paralysis to move forward in life.
In John 9 Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath which in the opinion of the Pharisees was a sin. I can only imagine the absolute joy both the person healed and his parents must have felt when Jesus touched his eyes with mud and restored his sight! Instead of shouting from the mountain tops that Jesus Christ is Lord over all creation (Colossians 1:16), when questioned by the Pharisees his parents refused to answer. The opportunity to testify of Jesus’ miraculous power with unspeakable joy, however, was soon swallowed up by the fear that the Pharisees would kick them out of the synagogue!
Even the masterpieces of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and royal priests (1 Peter 2:9) can fall into Satan’s trap to love praise from people more than praise from God (John 12:42-43). Fearing people rather than God is a sin because it elevates their opinions higher than God’s. Our desire for self-protection and self-esteem, rather than reverence for our Creator, is often the source of that ugly pit in our stomach! Jesus has given Christians a Comforter (John 14:26) who has empowered them to accomplish His will. So let us not worry about the future or those who might want harm us but let us seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) and let He who holds everything in His hand protect and empower us to walk in His kingdom in peace!
If you have a story of how God helped you overcome fear in your life please share it in the comments section so that all who read this can rejoice!
False
Evidence
Appearing
Real
= Fear (Joyce Meyer)
I remember as a 9 year old child saying to my Dad, if you hit me one more time I am going to call the police. I know I was very afraid; but it worked. He must have been more afraid of the police.
God allowed me to be bold and courageous. Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. He was with me even when I didn’t know him.
God is Good!
Fear was my constant companion through out my childhood and it followed me into adulthood. It was the kind of fear that held me hostage. It was a dark presence that followed me everywhere and was much stronger when I was all alone, especially if it was dark outside. No matter how hard I tried, I could never overcome it. It wore me out to the point that I became too tired to fight anymore.
When someone told me they could stay alone in a house and actually sleep and not be afraid, I never believed them. I figured everyone must be like me and they were just too ashamed to admit it. Because I never told anyone of the paralyzing fear I lived with every single day.
One Summer Morning, I felt my spirit tell me to go to a certain Church. So I took my grandson and his friend and we went. God had a very special sermon planned for us that morning. We had never experienced the true power of God as we did that Sunday morning. After the service we walked in silence to the car, once inside we all started talking at once, we were so excited to share what had happened to us. How God had touched us in a very special way. My grandson and I could not speak in tongues but we could understand what was being said And all of a sudden we too were speaking in tongues. His friend was touched deeply by the Holy Spirit and believed that God really did exist for the first time in his life. All the way home we talked about how powerful God presence had been. And how he had used the pastor to minister to us. It really had been a life changing event for all of us.
Two weeks later, I had laundry in the washer in the basement and ran down to put it in the dryer. On my way upstairs I saw the clock on the wall above the staircase and it was 11 pm. You see I never, ever went downstairs when it was dark outside, especially if I was home alone. I had completely forgotten to look outside to see if it was dark or at the time before going downstairs.
I was ecstatic and started laughing and praising God. You see I had not given fear a second thought. I was free. Totally free from any fear for the first time in my life. That oppressing presence was gone. I could not stop laughing and I have been going downstairs alone at night in the dark ever since. I have slept in peace all night alone in my house in my bed. Not on the couch with the TV on.
God has indeed freed and straightened me. Just like he says in the Bible. We can be assured that he knows what is going on in our lives. And that he loves us so much he will heal and free us from any oppression.
If you are fighting something alone and too ashamed to share it with anyone. Then turn to God, he truly loves you. He will never leave you and he has showered down upon us the richness of his grace—for how well he understands us and knows what is best for us at all times. (Ephesians 1:8)
He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)
God says, Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
How precious is your constant love, O God! All humanity takes refuge in the shadow of your wings.(Psalm 36:7)
God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
All Glory to God who loves US!