Facing Fear... by Michael Pickford Fear is an element of life we dislike. I’m not talking about the fear of snakes, tornadoes, etc. I’m speaking of the anticipation of those test results regarding our health, or of a drastic financial set-back, or of a loved one getting involved in a deadly accident, etc. This type of fear is connected with worry and if not kept in check can devastate our lives. We should face this fear with… Christ. Those in Christ have an advantage over those on the outside in that they have God’s promise of prayer. Peter wrote, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers…,” and John adds, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14). We don’t always get the exact answer to prayer we desired, but we know a concerned and loving God hears us and no matter how He answers, we know He loves us deeply. We should live life with the attitude of, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Don’t fear and worry, just live right and trust God, for “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Courage. Christians who are serving God faithfully have every reason to face any fear with unrelenting courage. The famous quote says, “There’s nothing to fear but fear itself.” A better quote is, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). If we love God as we should we will have complete trust in Him, but fear and anxiety are the result of a lack of trust in God. So if we often find ourselves paralyzed with fear, we need to examine ourselves insofar as our love and trust in the Father. If we face fear with loving, trusting prayer we can eliminate the anxiety and replace it with indescribable peace, “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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Comfort. In any situation this life presents, we can maintain comfort deep in our hearts because of the promise of eternal life. Think how comforting the words of the Lord, “Let not your heart be troubled… In My father’s house are many mansions...” (John 14:1-2).
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 21:38:55 +0000