Special Series Month October Fear and Afraid part 2

WHAT KINDS OF THINGS ARE PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF?

A. Fear of FAILURE

1. Some people are afraid to try a new venture because they don’t want to fail.

2. Certainly, no one wants to fail, but a few failures along life’s road are normal.

B. Fear of CRITICISM

1. Some people are so concerned with what others think, that they never attempt a new challenge.

2. What others think is their problem . . . not yours. Your relationship with God should never depend on what others think, but what God thinks and teaches in the Bible.

C. Fear of REJECTION

1. Consider:

a. Some will not try out for an athletic because they are afraid of rejection.

b. Some will not ask a person out on a date because they are afraid of being rejected . . . even in their forties, fifties, sixties, etc.

2. By fearing rejection, one is rejected trying.

D. Fear of AUTHORITY

1. Some people panic when they are approached by a person of authority.

2. A boss, a policeman, a principal, etc., may bring about such a reaction.

E. Fear of DEATH

1. At one time or another the fear of death comes into everyone’s heart.

2. Some people, however, live in a constant fear of death. They torture themselves day after day with this fear.

F. Fear of a NATIONAL DISASTER Numbers of people across our land live in a deep fear of war, riots, another 911, another depression or stock market crash, etc.

G. Fear of SUCCESS

1. This is an avoidance motive. Some believe success will have negative consequences, disappointments, rejection, and even abandonment if we achieve it.

2. “He can’t handle success.”

H. Fear of THINGS GOING TOO WELL

1. Some people feel that if everything is going too well, then something bad must be about to happen.

2. They cannot enjoy the sun for expecting the clouds.

I. Fear of LOSS

1. People fear the loss of:

a. Job

b. Benefits

c. Friends

d. Respect

e. Property

f. Money

g. Health

h. Approval

i. Friends

j. Host of other things, etc.

2. Some losses are beyond our ability to control.

J. Fear of PROBLEMS

K. Fear of the UNKNOWN This challenges all of us from time to time.

L. Fear of CHANGE

People do not want to get out of their comfort zone.

M. Fear of the PAST

1. This is a form of guilt that people live with.

2. They live with dread that the past will, in some way, harm them.

3. Others are afraid of the future . . . the unknown.

N. Fear of PUNISHMENT

1. Some live in fear of being accused of doing something they did not do.

2. Some live in fear hell . . . or their perception of God’s wrath.

O. Fear of a DEADLY DISEASE

1. Some people live in fear of cancer, heart trouble, a stroke, and a host of other diseases.

2. Many are afraid to go to the doctor for fear that they will be told they have one of their feared diseases.

P. Fear of AGING, OLD AGE

1. Public media would have us to subscribe to the idea that youth is in and aging and old age are out.

2. The suicide rate of retired men is twelve times that of those who are employed.

3. General Douglas MacArthur is reported to have had over his desk: “Youth is not a time of life--it is a state of mind.

Q. PHOBIAS Millions of people are possessed by phobias.

A phobia is a fear of some object, situation, place or thing which, in itself, poses no actual danger to the person. A person with a phobia usually knows that his fear is irrational, but he can’t seem to do anything about it. People with such fears will do about anything to avoid the objects of their phobias. Their fear may rage from mild to very serious anxiety. They may have physical symptoms such as nausea . . . dizziness . . . backaches . . . headaches . . . skin rashes . . . fainting spells . . . and other pains.

Some common phobias are:

1. Fear of heights . . . . . . Acrophobia

2. Fear of public places . . . . . . Agoraphobia

3. Fear of thunder, lightning or storms . . . . . . Astraphobia

4. Fear of enclosed places . . . . . . Claustrophobia

5. Fear of water . . . . . . Hydrophobia

6. Fear of solitude . . . . . . Monophobia

7. Fear of darkness (night) . . . . . . Nyctophobia

8. Fear of crowds . . . . . . Ochlophobia

9. Fear of disease . . . . . . Pathophobia

10. Fear of death . . . . . . Thanatophobia

11. Fear of snakes, reptiles . . . . . Herpetophobia

KEYS TO OVERCOMING FEAR.

A. You must believe you can win over fear.

1. This is the starting place.

2. Fear cannot win over you unless you allow it to.

3. Napoleon once said, “He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.

B. You must admit the existence of fear.

1. This is not easy because it goes against our pride.

2. This will require honesty, personal examination, and courage on your part.

C. Name the fear.

1. Don’t use the nebulous, “I am afraid.” Be specific.

2. Name your fear . . . it is therapeutic for you.

D. Try to recognize its origin.

1. It is not from God! . . . It is not from God! . . . It is not from God!

2. tells you He has not given you a spirit of fear.

2 Timothy 2:7 KJV 1900

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

3. It comes from other sources . . . wrong thinking . . . the flesh . . . the evil one, etc.

E. Confess your fear to God.

1. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to say, “Father, I am afraid to stand before the Bible class,” or whatever the fear may be.

2. Your fear may have led you into a sinful condition.

3. Always be honest with God.

F. Check your love quotient.

1. John wrote in – “There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.”

1 John 4:18 KJV 1900

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

2. Do you need to work on your love?

G. Do what you fear.

1. This may be very difficult.

2. In some cases it is the final step to overcoming the fear.

H. Ask yourself, “What happened the last time I had this fear?”

1. I am sure you will discover the answer will be “nothing.” Fear immobilizes us and keeps us from acting.

2. That which you feared went on its way until you called it up again.

I. Work on developing your faith.

1. We must trust God and His Word.

2. When we fill up on faith, fear does not have a chance.

3. Fear and faith do not mix.

J. Separate the feeling of fear from the object of fear.

1. This will usually prove to us that our fear is the product of our thinking.

2. This will help you recognize fear as an emotion you can handle.

K. Pray for strength to defeat your fear.

1. James promises that God will answer prayers prayed in faith.

2. – “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”

James 1:5–7 KJV 1900

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

L. Resolve on a daily basis to reject fearfulness.

1. Some psychologists believe that in order to acquire a new habit, a person must practice it a minimum of 21 times before it becomes part of his subconscious and thus productive in daily living.

2. You must be persistent in your attack on fear.

M. Claim God’s power to help you.

1. God gives power to His children to help them defeat the evil one and thereby live the victorious life.

a. – “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think—according to the power that works in you . . . ”

Ephesians 3:20 KJV 1900

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

b. – “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come . . . ”

Revelation 12:10 KJV 1900

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

c. – “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

2 Timothy 2:7 KJV 1900

7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.

2. Too often brethren go to everyone but God for help with their issues.

N. Be a disciplined person.

1. We are in control of what we think.

2. – “For as he thinks within himself, so he is . . . ”

Proverbs 23:7 KJV 1900

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.

3. We do not have to let the spirit of fear into our hearts and minds.

O. Turn to others for help.

1. – “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted also. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

2. This is one of the blessings of being in a spiritual family . . . We can get help when we need it.

P. You may need to see a physician.

1. If you suspect some organic or physical problem, your family doctor will be able to determine if this is the source of your fear.

2. Be careful, however, of tranquilizers, depressants, and physical energizers as cures for your fears. They may, in fact, deal only with the symptom rather than the problem itself.

CONCLUSION:

A. Fear is a very real foe of the Christian’s peace of mind

1. It is a pervasive, powerful, and complex foe.

2. It does not come from God.

3. Through God’s power and some simple principles, we can remove this enemy from our lives.

B. Our goal is to win over the negative fears that make spiritual cowards out of us.

C. Fear must be won over because it can arouse other negative emotions such as:

1. Anger

2. Hatred

3. Depression

4. Frustration

5. And a host of other emotions as well

D. God’s Plan for Man’s Salvation

Fear Not!

What are you afraid of?

Recently Caty Medrano published an article called top 10 strong human fears.

These are the top fears shared by people everywhere. The list in many ways is self-explanatory.

10. Losing Your Freedom

9. The Unknown

8. Pain

7. Disappointment

6. Misery

5. Loneliness

4. Ridicule

3. Rejection

2. Death

1. Failure

Many of these fears are tied together, such as death and the unknown, rejection and ridicule, pain and misery, and failure and loneliness. We can also observe that these are mostly existential fears that describe an inner condition of the heart. That is, these are not fears of specific things.

In the latter category, I ran across a Gallup Poll answering the question, what scares people most?

 In order the answers are:

1. Snakes

2. Public Speaking

3. Heights

4. Being closed in a small space

5. Spiders

6. Needles and getting shots

7. Mice

8. Flying on an airplane

9. Dogs

10. Thunder and lightning

11. Going to the doctor

12. The dark

This is obviously a much more concrete list.

I can identify with the part about snakes, heights, needles and spiders. I fly so much that airplanes don’t bother me, and I speak so much that while I do get nervous sometimes, I don’t “fear” public speaking. I have no clue how dogs could possibly make that list. I cannot imagine why anyone would be afraid of Dudley and Gary, our two fine basset hounds. And while I may not fear the dark, I sometimes find little noises waking me up with a start in the middle of the night.

We all have our fears, don’t we?

Fear is a basic human emotion:

Your list won’t be same as mine, but we can all identify with some things on the second list and most of the first list. If we aren’t worried about mice, we certainly fear rejection by those we love. And we all think about our own death from time to time. When will it happen and under what circumstances? If we are wise, we also wonder, what then? I’m not surprised that fear of failure comes at the top for many people. How frustrating to feel like you’ve wasted your short sojourn on planet earth. It’s a terrible thing to conclude that your life was a bust because it didn’t turn out the way you hoped it would. Somewhere in all our thinking God has to figure into the equation. There must be a reason that the Bible tells us (in various ways and in various places) to “fear not” hundreds of times. Fear is such a basic human emotion that many of us constantly live in the grip of fear, worry and anxiety. God told us to “fear not” because he knew that we would all wrestle with fear sooner or later.

God says hundreds of times in hundreds of ways "Fear not."

What do you do when your fears seem to be winning the day? What if you pray and God still hasn’t come through for you? If you are like most people, you begin to lose hope, and you wonder why you bothered to pray in the first place. Deep in the soil of your heart, little seeds of doubt take root, growing up into a harvest of frustration and anger.  It happens to most of us eventually. Some of the best men and women of the Bible struggled with their inner doubts when their dreams didn’t come true.

A. Waiting for a Baby

Abraham’s story illustrates that truth. In order to get the context, we have to go back forty centuries, back to a time long ago and far away, to a place called Ur of the Chaldees, a large city on the banks of the Euphrates River. That river still exists. It flows through Iraq and empties into the Persian Gulf not far from Kuwait. Historians tell us that Ur was one of the most important cities of the ancient world. In Abraham’s day perhaps 250,000 people lived there. There was an ancient university in Ur and a large library. Ur was known as a center for mathematics, astronomy, and international commerce. It was like Chicago or New York or London or Singapore. What else do we know about Abraham (he is first called Abram, and later Abraham) as the story begins? He’s about seventy-five years old when we meet him, which in those days would be considered middle-aged. He’s a prosperous businessman who is no doubt well-known to many people. He and his wife Sarah (first called Sarai), and they have no children. It is against that backdrop that God speaks to Abram for the first time in : The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Later God promised to give him descendants "like the dust of the earth” (). Ten years quickly pass without any sign of children. Abraham is almost eighty-five and not getting any younger. Sarah is far past child-bearing age. Even though he has just won a great victory (see ), nothing can satisfy his deep desire for a son. Only those who have gone through this experience can fully empathize with Abraham and Sarah. There is no sadness like the sadness of wanting children of your own but being unable to have them. Even in this day of modern medicine and advanced technology, many couples wait for years and some couples wait forever.

Genesis 12:1 KJV 1900

1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 13:16 KJV 1900

16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

Genesis 14 KJV 1900

1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; 2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. 3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. 4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar. 8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; 9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five. 10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. 11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. 13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. 14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. 17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. 22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, 23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: 24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

​ KJV 190016 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.

​ KJV 19001 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; 2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. 3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. 4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar. 8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; 9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five. 10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. 11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. 13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. 14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 15 And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. 17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. 22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, 23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: 24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

B. God didn't seem in a hurry to give them a son

I think Abraham’s greatest fear stemmed from the fact that God did not seem in a hurry to give them a child. How much longer would he wait? Why had he delayed? Had God changed his mind? Was there some problem he didn’t know about? Had they sinned? Were they doing something displeasing to God? Why was Sarah’s womb still closed? If God had promised, why was it taking so long to be fulfilled? Should they go to Plan B? All those questions were running through Abram’s mind. God knew exactly what his servant was thinking. He saw the doubt. He understood the fear. Now he moves to reassure Abram that all will be well. The time has not yet come for the child to be born, but it isn’t far off either.

"I Am Your Shield"

“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: ’Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward’” (). There are at least four reasons Abram could have doubted God’s promise of a son:

1. He was too old.

2. Many years had passed since the promise had been given. 3. Nothing like this had ever happened before. 4. Sarah also doubted God’s promise.

When you think about it, there was no reason to believe--no reason except that God had promised to do it. The question now is simple: Will God’s promise be enough for Abraham?

To all our fears, God says, "I am your shield."

In answer to that question, God declares, “I am your shield.” We should not think of a small shield that covers only the chest area, but rather of a shield that stretches from head to toe and completely protects every part of the soldier’s body. Such a shield offers complete protection from every attack of the enemy.

To call God our shield means two specific things:

Heading 2

1. He protects us in times of doubt.

2. He rescues us in times of danger.

Note that God does not say, “I will give you a shield,” but “I am your shield.” The very God of heaven says that he will be our shield, which means we have a shield that is omnipotent, universal, eternal. That shield cannot be defeated. It is as strong as God himself. We could not be in a better position. Who can defeat us when God himself is our shield?  The great message is certainly clear. If God is your shield, fear not!

Immortal Until

It has been said that “a Christian is immortal until his work on earth is done." That statement means that nothing can harm you without God’s permission. Not cancer, not AIDS, not bankruptcy, not theft, not physical disability, not the loss of your job, not a terrible accident, not the death of a child, not any of a thousand other sorrows that afflict the children of God. Christians aren’t immune to sadness. What happens to others also happens to us. The difference is this. We know that God protects us from harm so that nothing can touch us that doesn’t first pass through his hands of love. That knowledge doesn’t mean that we don’t weep or we don’t suffer. Far from it. But it is the basis for the statement that “we sorrow but not as those who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 1:13. Our sorrow is different precisely because we hope in God.

"You can do nothing to me"

A missionary told me how she had nearly been put in jail when a hostile lawyer began harassing her and the local Christian hospital. He objected to the fact that the hospital openly did evangelism along with its compassionate medical care. Seeking a pretext for legal action, the lawyer accused the hospital of illegally selling intravenous fluid to its patients. It wasn’t true, but that didn’t matter. For nearly ten years the case bumped up and down the court system of that country. At one point several years ago it appeared likely that the missionary might either be thrown in jail or forced to leave the country. “I’m going to shut down this hospital,” the lawyer chortled, “And you’re going to jail or I’ll have you deported.”

Who can defeat us when God is our shield?

To which the missionary replied, “You can do nothing to me except what my God permits you to do.” That’s a perfectly biblical answer. Our God is a shield around his people. Nothing can touch us except that which God permits.

Why God Delays His Answers

That brings us back to the central issue. Why did God wait so long to give Abraham a son? Abraham was seventy-five when God first spoke to him and one hundred when Isaac was finally born. He was almost eighty-five when God came to him and said, “Fear not.” After all these years God still wasn’t ready to answer Abraham’s prayers. Abraham was old, but he would be older yet before Isaac was finally born. Of all the questions that plague the people of God, none is so vexing as the question of unanswered prayer. We know God loves us and has a good plan for our lives.

Why then does God take so long to answer our deepest, most heartfelt prayers?

From Abraham’s experience we may suggest three answers:

1. To develop perseverance in us.

To put it very simply, it would be too easy if God answered all our prayers the first time we prayed them.Not only would we take God for granted, we would also develop a shallow faith. I have a good friend who is stuck in a difficult job situation. She works with a colleague who has a reputation for being an easygoing nice guy. “But he’s not like that behind the scenes,” she says. Every time she has a good idea, he either steals it or complains to the boss. And since his job is more important than hers, he always wins. He also uses threats and intimidation to get his way. He thinks only of himself and how he can get ahead, and he doesn’t mind being ruthless if that’s what it takes to get what he wants. Sound familiar? Every office probably has a person who answers to that description. When I asked my friend if she was planning on leaving her job, she gave a very wise answer: “I know that God put me here and gave me the talent to do my job. If he wants to move me, that’s fine, but I’m not going to try to do it myself. I’m sure God can use me in this position and I want to learn everything he is trying to teach me.” Here is a woman whose faith is growing stronger through a difficult situation. Every day she is being given new opportunities to trust God and to respond graciously to an unkind coworker. Meanwhile, she prays for God to work in her and through her and, if necessary, to change her situation. My own feeling is that God will eventually answer her prayers by either moving her on to a new job or by removing the other person. But that may not happen for months or years, and until then, my friend is developing many godly qualities as she patiently waits on the Lord.

2. To ensure that God alone gets the glory.

When Paul wrote about Abraham’s story, he mentioned this point prominently. says, “Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Not only did Abraham have to wait twenty-five years for an answer to his prayers, he also had to suffer the humiliation of his own failed schemes. Immediately after God spoke to him in , he agreed with Sarah to sleep with their maidservant Hagar in hope of conceiving a child through her. It worked, and Ishmael was born. But this shortsighted attempt to “help God out” backfired and brought sadness and heartache to everyone involved.

Romans 4:19–21 KJV 1900

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

God often delays His answers.

God often delays his answers so that we will have plenty of opportunity to fail using our own resources. Only then does God act, but when he does, it demonstrates that he alone is responsible for answering our prayers and that he alone must get the glory.

3. To deepen our trust in God.

I think that’s why gives more space to Abraham’s story than to any other Old Testament hero.He is the preeminent man of faith in the Bible. When we read his story and see how long he waited (twenty-five years), we gain a new perspective on our own situation. If Abraham had to wait, it should not surprise us that we will often have to wait a long time for the fulfillment of our dreams and the answers to our prayers. And as with Abraham, waiting is not bad if it causes us to deepen our trust in God and to learn more about his character.

Hebrews 11 KJV 1900

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The answer is a person

God’s answer to fear is not an argument or a formula. It’s a Person. That’s why he said to Abraham, “Fear not. I am your shield.” God himself is the final answer to every fear of the human heart. Have you ever wondered why God called himself by the name “I AM” in the Old Testament? Above all else, it means that God is eternally existent and therefore all creation depends on him. God stands alone. No one can be compared to him. He is complete in himself. God doesn’t need us but we desperately need him.

God doesn't need us, but we desperately need Him.

Think of it this way. To say that God is the great “I AM” means that when we come to him, he is everything we need at exactly that moment.

It’s as if God is saying . . .

I am your strength.     

I am your courage.        

I am your health.          

I am your hope.            

I am your supply.           

I am your defender.       

I am your deliverer.      

I am your forgiveness.   

I am your joy.                 

I am your future.

God is saying to you and me,

“I am whatever you need whenever you need it." He is the all-sufficient God for every crisis.