Fear

Dr. Martin Luther King sings out about his lack of fear because he has seen the

promised land and he fears no man!

The Bible refers to to basically two different types of fear. The first type is healthy and beneficial and is to be encouraged. The second type is a negative and destructive and is to be overcome.

The first type of fear is fear of the Lord. This type of fear does not mean to be afraid of something. Rather, it is a reverential honor of God; a reverence for His power and glory. However, it is also a very proper and real respect for His wrath and anger. In other words, the fear of the Lord is a total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His characteristics.

You can see how fearing God should be encouraged. However, the second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not totally not beneficial at all. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned 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”. A spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God.

For example, Isaiah 41:10 encourages us, “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.” Often we fear the future and what will become of us. But Jesus reminds us that God cares for the birds of the air, so how much more will He provide for His children?

“So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). Just these few verses cover many different types of fear. God tells us not to be afraid of being alone, of being too weak, of not being heard, and of lacking physical necessities. These admonishments continue throughout the Bible, covering the many different aspects of the “spirit of fear.”

In Psalm 56:11 the psalmist writes, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” This is an awesome testimony to the power of trusting in God. Regardless of what happens, the psalmist here will trust in God because he knows and understands the power of God. The key to overcoming fear, then, is a total and complete trust in God. Through both the good times and also the not so good times.

Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right.

It has been said that "Fear is a lack of Faith"

is that be true in your life?

The basic needs of every human being!

It has long been know that every person has two great longings and inward needs. The first is to be loved, and the second is to love others. But when pressures and heartaches come into our lives, many give up any hope of ever finding love.

The tragedy is that we often look in the wrong places to fill this deep, deep need and longing. Some substitute lust for love. Others pursue material things or superficial relationships - all in the futile attempt to fill a God-shaped vacuum in the human heart.

But there is some good news to share! There is a love worth finding and a love worth sharing. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

(John 3:16). On the cross of Christ, God's mighty love was revealed and offered unconditionally to all who would be saved.

Do you long to know this mighty love? Then I need to ask you the most important question you'll ever be asked: Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves you, that your sins are forgiven, and that you are saved and on your way to heaven? It will be at that time you no longer will have fear to paralyze you or your loved ones any longer!

How much fear is in your life?