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Monday, December 12, 2005

Overcoming fear

There are many things in life that we are afraid of.

We Christians, have a hard times admitting it sometimes, but it is true.

There are times when I am afraid. I’m anxious about a certain situation.

What are you afraid of?

Some Christians act like they’re not afraid of anything. Some Christians act like they’re afraid of everything. In fact, there seems to be a name for almost every kind of fear imaginable. The list below contains just a few:

Acrophobia: the fear of heights

Agoraphobia: the fear of open spaces

Arachnophobia: the fear of spiders

Claustrophobia: the fear of small, closed-in spaces

Hydrophobia: the fear of water

Mysophobia: the fear of dirt or germs

Nyctophobia: the fear of darkness

Ochlophobia: the fear of crowds

Schoolphobia: the fear of school

Triskaidekaphobia: the fear of the number 13

There is a lot to fear out there. There’s even phobiaphobia, or the fear of fear itself!

We all, as Christians, are afraid at times.

But being self-controlled means learning to control our worries and fears instead of letting them control us. That’s easier said than done, of course, but that’s what go desires for us. And that’s what he’s able to do for us.

Jesus can calm you heart and mind, just as he was able to calm the raging Sea of Galilee.

He is able to quiet our fears and relieve your worries, just as he soothed the disciple’s fears that night long ago. The psalmist knew the secret of controlling worry and fear, which is why he wrote, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you”. Psalms 56:3

That’s the secret. Let the presence of God control your fear…instead of letting your fear control you.

God has His hand on you today. When times come and you are fearful, let God’s presence be with you.

And then do it – work at it – complete it – move forward – even though you are afraid! And God will help you.

2 comments:

BonnieJ said...

Hi there!
I got a hit from your blog somehow, I thought I'd come by and say hi :)

Bonnie

Jon said...

Fear can be a devastating thing. There are people who are so afraid that they cannot leave their house(s); so afraid that they are constantly cleaning to avoid germs. I remember a movie vignette in which a guy was so afraid of bugs that he had them all exterminated from his building and basically lived in a plastic bubble...it being a horror movie, the guy was ultimately killed by bugs! Which of our Presidents said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself!" in a famous speech. I always forget which one it was, Truman or FDR or one of them guys. Anyway, when you place your faith in God, all fear is taken away. God is our Rock and our Refuge, our Salvation and our Consoler, in whom we can place our trust and our worries will be swept away. God is Good, All the Time!!! Even when we are afraid, God is with us as he was with Elijah as he fled from Queen Jezebel (?) after defeating the wizards of her kingdom. God knew that Elijah needed a season of rest and comfort so He provided that for His prophet. And He can do the same for you, if you but place your trust in Him. The world will always be around us until the day that we are called up to the sky...but the fears of the world do not have to consume us. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!

Go with God

Jon