Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Have you ever started to feel uncertain about a situation, then it turned into a fear where you could not move? How about a time where no matter what you tried that scared feeling would not subside. Maybe it was now your turn to play in the game or be part of an event, but suddenly began to panic for no reason, and you could not calm yourself down?
Life can be filled with different events or even just moments where fear wants to consume what we are doing. Sometimes we can get it under control quickly, but other times we may not be so lucky. It can be even harder if these feelings come on suddenly or our heart will not slow down.
Every one of us are different and will handle any of these fear causing situations differently. We may even be or have been in a profession where running toward a fear causing event is just part of the job description. All the experts will tell you that it’s just not natural for a person to fight the normal operation of the brain, but many of us do.
I have had several different jobs or positions that required me to do this. However, the body seems to adjust to where I may feel perfectly calm in the middle of an intense situation, but have misgivings just asking a person a question. This is why there is such a thing as an irrational fear because it just does not make sense.
Think about it. You could be the star running back on the football team who scores four times a game, but you can’t talk to the cute girl you see at school. Maybe you can give a phenomenal sales presentation to a room full of people, but you can’t even say your name right when you are introduced to the CEO. The reverse could also be true that you could sell a drowning man water, but you can’t speak in front of a group.
Many of these feelings are not rational and are based on false information that our mind makes more important than they really are. What if I stutter, what if I forget what to say, maybe I should not have worn this color shirt, I should not have had the garlic bread for lunch, etc. Our minds can easily invent things that are not true, may not happen, or are not really there.
Some of the cure is confidence in our abilities, but far too often we rely only on ourselves to overcome the fears we are facing. Even going to a friend, a therapist, or watching a video may not completely be the answer either. You could even try the latest book written by a self-described expert, but again, we are looking in the wrong place.
If we want to read a book that addresses fear, then we should turn to one of the oldest, the Bible. There are 365 different verses that mention fear or being afraid. I have not really looked, but that would be one day per verse for an entire year. One of the most popular is the one used as the opening scripture.
It’s a great way to start off, “Fear not.” We also find a very popular verse that even so called non-Christians know in Psalm 23:4 (NLT), “Even when I walk through the darkest valley,” Now say the rest without looking, “ I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” Besides telling us to not fear or be afraid, they both tell us that God is with us.
We do not need anything else when God is walking beside us and even though we may not feel it, he is always there. This is more of that false evidence appearing real. Think of some of those situations where fear is dominating and you will usually find that we may feel abandoned and all alone. There is nothing that will take away those feelings.
If you spend time in God’s word then you may know many of these verses that speak about fear and what we should do, but there are so many more. Dig deeper, then speak His word over your life and during all those situations when we find ourselves paralyzed. Use His truth to counter that false evidence so we can conquer what is appearing real.
I will end with more scripture that I normally do to give you real evidence that we have God on our side and we can use His strength. Let’s begin with Hebrews 13:6, “So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” How would you answer that question? The Lord is more powerful that any man in this world.
We find what God does not give us in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” No fear, but power. And another great reminder in Psalm 56:3, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Keep our hearts with God.
We find important advice from God to Joshua as he took leadership from Moses and lead the people into the promised land. Talk about a tough act to follow, would you have been afraid? Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
When those doubts creep in and try to stop you, turn to Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.” Seek the Lord and ask to be delivered. So, join me in waging a war on everything this world is throwing at us, trying to make us believe in the lies that are not true, to stop us from fulfilling the purpose God has for us.
UPON MY GUIDANCE RELIED
It begins with just an uneasy feeling deep inside my mind,
Especially in the face of uncertainty or answers I cannot find.
This little snowball of trepidation soon begins to grow,
Rolling downhill it moves much faster to a speed I cannot slow.
The feelings will not relent, then continue to grow much faster,
Now with the swelling emotion, I seem on the edge of disaster.
Lord, the fear that begins to erupt is completely out of control,
How do I find some relief from it and make myself again whole?
Dear child, you are hanging onto your fear as if it is a prize,
Right now you cannot see the truth only the collection of lies.
You have to let go of all these feelings and place them in my hands,
Then stand upon my steadfast rock instead of on sinking sands.
Open your eyes to what is real and spend time inside my word,
Block out the surrounding world and forget the falsities you’ve heard.
My strength will lift you up above all those feelings inside,
Fore I am always walking beside you and Upon My Guidance Relied.
Simple Faith Christian
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