Fear Flicking

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Everyone Has Fear

We all experience fear or anxiety about something. It could be fear of a new class or a new school year. Fear of an upcoming test.

Fear of a new job or not being able to pay a bill. Fear of the dark or fear of certain animals.

We could be anxious about going to a new place.

Fears of something happening to our loved ones occurs often.

The fear could be about “fitting in".

We all want to be accepted.

Many people say they are not scared of anything. But that is not usually true. Usually in those cases, the person has a fear of looking weak to other’s.

I believe fear and anxiety are caused by a lack of control. We cannot control what is happening.

But, Could we ever?

Fear and anxiety are felt by everyone.

Fear treats everybody the same. It is normal.

We want to think that one fear is different (greater or worse) than another. But the truth is it is the same.

Fear effects our thoughts, our emotions and even our bodies. Stress, restlessness and outbursts are good examples.

The “Fight or flight” scenario.

Even animals react with fear. It causes them to run and hide, or turn and attack. The Bible gives evidence of animal fear:

Genesis 9:2 “And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.”

After the flood, when the ark was off-loaded, GOD spoke these words to Noah.

What is the Purpose of Fear

Fear is beneficial in this life.

In the Basic sense, it keeps us away from harmful and dangerous situations.

It heightens our senses and provides an adrenaline increase to prepare the body for the fight or flight decision. Fear gives a heightened alertness.

The stress caused by a correct balance of fear can be beneficial, but too much can intimidate and cause people to freeze up or be paralyzed.

Unable to think or react.

How Does Fear Effect Choices

As stated earlier a small dose of fear benefits the body and keeps us alert. When we let fear get out of balance in our lives, it can have devastating effects. Many times we give fear to much of a foothold in our lives.

We go through our day being worried and nervous unnecessarily. The stress and anxiety of fear out of balance even causes sleepless nights and nightmares.

We make unwise choices. Moving from fear decision to fear decision. We loose true focus.

The Bible has many examples of this.:

In both Genesis 12:13 and 20:2, On two separate occasions, Abraham told both the Pharaoh of Egypt and also, King Abimelech that his wife Sarah was his sister. Abraham did this because he was afraid that he would be killed in order that someone could marry his wife. His lie was found out and he was rebuked by them both on each occasion. Lucky for him, the consequences of his decision were not severe.

And How about Peter; He was literally walking on water to Jesus when his fear got the best of him.

Matthew 14:30 “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

In the book of Numbers the Israelites fell victim to there own fear and chose not to follow GOD's direction.

Ten of the twelve spies gave a bad report about the land of promise. The Israelites listened to them and not GOD.

Even though they saw GOD's miracles done in the wilderness.

Numbers 14:3–4 “And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.”

Their punishment was wandering around in the wilderness for forty years until the disobedient people died, and their children eventually entered the promised land.

Where Does Fear Come From

The word of GOD states that fear is not from him.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

So lets backtrack a little in creation.

Fear did not exist in the garden of Eden (at first). I do not believe any animals had fear either.

It was a peaceful, perfect environment. All creation was fulfilling it’s purpose as GOD determined.

Then came the ‘FALL’. The choice made by Adam and Eve opened their eyes to “Good and Evil”. They became knowledgeable of evil; and what was their first response?

Genesis 3:8 “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.”

Genesis 3:10 “And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

It appears that the first animal(s) were slain at this point because the Bible states:

Genesis 3:21 “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”

‘Skins’ is implied hide or leather

So the consequence of the fall (first Sin) brought fear and death and trouble. Generation after generation it has grown worse and worse.

So What overcomes Fear

Once again I will make this statement. “Overcoming fear is simple”. I did not say it was easy, but it is simple.

You cannot control anything. Your situations are the result of consequences: either by your choices or someone else's.

During the message last week I mentioned that GOD controlled everything for both the Christian and non.

He controls the environment, lifespan, purpose and plan for everything in creation.

The only input we have is choice… Yes it is that simple.

If we follow GOD, have reverential fear and obey him, we need not fear anything else. If he has control of our life anyway, and we follow his leading, then good comes of it. In All Things.

Throughout the Bible GOD reminds people repeatedly to not be afraid because he is with them, will go before them, or will fight for them.

Those words on encouragement were put in the Bible by GOD for us as well.

Let’s review a few:

2 Kings 6:16 “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

In the morning Elisha’s servant saw that they were surrounded by a great army of horses and chariots to capture them. He was fearful, but Elisha was not.

2 Kings 6:17 “And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

We see things in the physical, but not the supernatural(spiritual realm).

GOD is in control of both. Everything fulfills his purpose.

How about the storm at sea that Jesus calmed:

Mark 4:37–38 “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?”

The apostles saw there situation, but forgot who they were with...

Mark 4:39–40 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”

We loose sight of what GOD can do.

We act out of fear and not out of faith in GOD.

I will remind us of the promises GOD has made to US:

Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: The Lord will give grace and glory: No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Even when things are dire.. GOD is in control!!!

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

He provides for us beyond what we can see.

Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encampeth Round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Do we trust him?

How is our faith and obedience?

Remember a diciple of Jesus learns a way of thinking and acting.

It is different from the world’s way, so it has different results than the world’s way.

GOD’S things done GOD’s way equalls GOD’s results.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.”

The size of (your)GOD determines the size of your problem!!

Do You Trust him?

Do you have a relationship with him?

So What is there To be Truly Fearful of?

Death without GOD equalls Hell.

Luke 12:5 “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”

Remember, If you are walking in fellowship with the Father, you could say” Daddy look at this”;

and He would say “My child, let me help you with that”.

Do you have that kind of relationship with him?

If not, why not?

INVITATION SONG: I Surrender All