Fear is the black spot on the rose leaf of joy, the slag tip on the horizon of expectation and the limp in the onward march of life. Fear blights, scars and cripples people’s lives to such an extent that they only live to half their full potential. As the world approaches the end time when God will wrap up the ages like a folded garment, fear will increase: “men’s hearts failing them for fear…” [Luke 21:26] ‑ It is a sign of the times. But an angel appeared at advent season and said “Fear not”
It all began in Eden [Genesis 3:10] when Adam, sought by God, replied to his exposure with these words “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Sin is the root cause of fear and when it grips us it exposes us. The Bible tells us not to fear 365 times, one for each day of the year, so it must be commonplace in the routine of living. It also implies that if a command is given then there must be an enabling power to perform.
Where FAITH is operative fear is bound to fail and it is one of several answers to this perennial problem. Let us therefore consider the different types of fear and how we can deal effectively with them, so that we can live an overcoming Christian life. The normal Christian can cope with sorrow, a mild touch of depression and will battle with sin daily, yet in fear is an enemy that threatens peace and security. It gnaws away at the inward man and erodes or rusts [Psalm 37:8] his life support down to dangerous limits.
Built into every person is a self-preservation mechanism that ensures that they avoid foolish actions which would cause premature death. It is this God‑given safety device that helps us live out our natural life in a right kind of fear. It is based on death, which underlies many of our fears. This is a moderated anxiety that cautions us to behave in a manner which will assure our longevity. Properly handled this type of fear can bring release and establish patterns of behaviour which will render living less hazardous.
Carelessness is a problem that can soon be rectified by an accident, and if a person were to fear the consequence of a road accident they would drive with more than a modicum of caution. Natural fear if used rightly is not oppressive or dominating, but a necessary part of humanity.
Although the Christian does not fear death, he does fear the process of death ‑ the pain of disease. Where natural fear becomes a phobia it needs casting out in God’s name [1 John 4:18] the words mean to “throw out:” see [Rev.12:9; Mark 16:17]. It has become unbalanced and it is possible that demonic spirits are affecting it.
Thus, fear of sickness can produce symptoms that appear authentic and can also open a door for sickness to commence. A slight pain is magnified and what was at first innocent becomes exaggerated into something terminal in our thought realm, and it is there where many of our fears have to be controlled, and as we put on the “mind of Christ” [Phil. 2:5; Rom. 12:1; Phil. 4:7,8] we will have victory over this enemy.
Unbalanced fears result in many side effects, which destroy and dissipate strength and ability and result in unhappiness. We feel a failure because we cannot cope, we become stressed coming under severe tension, losing our judgment and we cannot think properly. We also suffer from insomnia in varying degrees and become incapable of making decisions — our body begins to suffer.
Therefore we need to fight fear supplanting our natural fear with the fear of the Lord. “The FEAR of the Lord is CLEAN enduring forever” [Psalm 19:9] “He encampeth round about them that FEAR Him” [Psalm 34:7]. “The fear of the Lord is a FOUNTAIN of life” [Prov.14:27]. Keeping the cup full [1 John 4:18; Psalm 23:5]; full of Jesus, full of love! [Phil.7, 8]. Cultivating God’s presence [Psalm 23:4; Isa. 43:5; Matthew 14:22‑35]. Nothing bad can live in His presence.
We need to dress in the amour of God [Eph. 6:13] especially the “helmet of Salvation” [Rom. 13. 12‑14; Eph. 5:18; 6:10] and set the alarm system [1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 6:16] to detect the intruding thoughts that are trespassing.
Lastly, we need to praise positively in all circumstances [Psalm 34:1, 4; 103:1; Heb.13:15; Hosea 14:2], remembering that God’s will is perfect and any circumstance in His will is always for our good [Rom. 8:31‑39].
