What Does the Bible Say About Fear and Anxiety
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
What is Fear and Anxiety?
What is Fear and Anxiety?
Hebrew word for fear is Yare.
Fear - Anxious dread or terror in the face of danger; also reverence to or awe of God.
There are two forms of fear. There is a good fear which is called reverence. Reverence means awesome, respect, and or piety. This is the fear that all believers should have towards God. In other words having a deep respect or having a deep admiration for God because of His sovereign power, and authority, and His communicable [we possess] and incommunicable [He only possesses] attributes.
Worship the Lord with reverence And rejoice with trembling.
By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
There is also fear that debilitates.
They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord.
‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it.
For Israel the fear of God was required in the following ways: by keeping His commandments (Exodus 20:20), by serving Him and being obedient to His statues (Deut. 6:13, 24), by harkening to His voice (1 Samuel 12:14), and worshipping in His temple (Ps. 5:7).
1. Can you remember a time when you were in Awe of God? What were you in Awe of?
What is nice about being in awe of God is that it should not result in anxiety.
Greek word for anxiety is actually fear or Phobeomai [verb] and Phobos [noun].
Anxiety - a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
2. Have you ever experienced anxiety or anxiousness? How did that feel?
What are the Causes of Fear and Anxiety?
What are the Causes of Fear and Anxiety?
Fear
• While most people experience fear as a negative emotion, fear also has a positive component. If you find that you have turned down a one-way street and see a car heading directly at you, fear triggers an autonomic response that sends a signal to your brain to “flee” the potentially dangerous situation.
• Fear becomes a problem when a person is afraid of things that are not real or when the feeling of fear is out of proportion to the real danger present.
• Fear is an emotion that draws a person into a self-protective mode.
• More often than not, fears are related to what a person perceives as a threat to his or her safety and security. The person may fear losing his or her job, having his or her home burglarized, or having conflict in a relationship.
Anxiety
• Anxiety is a constant fearful state, accompanied by a feeling of unrest, dread, or worry. The person may not be aware of what is creating the fear.
• Anxiety is aroused by a number of factors:
— external situations (viewing the nightly news, a fast-paced lifestyle)
— physical well-being (lack of sleep, blood sugar imbalance)
— modeling (parents who were highly anxious)
— trauma (in situations that may be similar to experiences of the past that caused great pain)
Some common concerns of teens Peer Pressure/ Not fitting in; Death; Sex; Failure; Climate Change; Money/Poverty; The Future/Growing Up; Bullying/Crime; Lost Identity; Safety; Embarrassment; Sleep; Being Alone
3. What do you think is the root or the main cause of Fear and Anxiety?
Although this information is knowledgeable and real but it doesn’t get down to the root of the fear and anxiety.
Doubt
To lack confidence in.
And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Trust
To allow without Fear
Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.
And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.”
Judgement
For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
What Does the Bible Say about Fear and Anxiety?
What Does the Bible Say about Fear and Anxiety?
4. What are some consequences of being fearful or anxious?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
The wicked person is destroyed by their fears. Fear can take its toll on people.
5. Who do you think loves when you are fearful and anxious?
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Anxiety disorder, chemical imbalances, are real - The mind is important
What are Ways to Combat Against Fear and Anxiety?
What are Ways to Combat Against Fear and Anxiety?
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. “Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”
Even Jesus was dependent which means He had no doubt that God could help Him; Christ not only trusted God, but He trusted God’s Will for His life - And so He humbles Himself and prays.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The death and resurrection of Christ establishes a lot for believers.
First we are commanded not to fear.
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
Fear correlates to punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect.
The Christ follower need not fear hunger, nakedness, sickness, suffering, wicked people, death, nor judgement. All have lost their power of fear in the love of Christ.
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
6. What do you need to change in order to not fall into fear and anxiety?
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
test, fact or fiction truth or lie
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.