Fear factor. It's far more than a reality television program; it's our reality. We've catalogued our fears using Greek terminology.Acrophobia (fear of heights).Claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces). Dentophobia (fear of dentists). Even Ecclesiophobia (fear of church). As one compiler of an extensive list of phobias says, "If you're looking for a phobia name that's not on the list....I'm AFRAID I don't have it." (so, what would that phobia be?)
Fear was the original negative emotion (Genesis 3:10), but far be it that it should be the defining emotion of the children of God. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18)
Apparently, a godly king named Hezekiah well understood the victory over fear available through the God of love:
"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed ... for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
In the face of an overwhelmingly powerful army - when fear would be the more natural reaction - Hezekiah's unwavering faith and confidence in God is clearly evident. His words of confidence to his people were not without basis, because the God of the universe indeed brought miraculous victory (2 Chronicles 32:20-22).
While strength and courage in our Father is the ideal, it is not always the reality. Fear easily creeps in like icy cold on a winter day, robbing us of the warmth of faith and assurance. Much as we desire to live by faith, fear factor becomes the reality.
Thankfulness generated by reflection on past victories of faith is perhaps the best antidote to present fear. God's impeccable record of provision and deliverance in our lives provides basis for dominate faith that overcomes fear. Honestly, has He ever failed you - even once?
"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed ... for the one with us is greater than the one with him." Whatever we are up against has no true basis to instill fear. Life's fear factor are based on human frailty, whereas our strength is based in our Father who is greater. "with us is the LORD (Yahweh) our God to help us and to fight our battles." Let's live this day in the power and victory of faith through our mighty empowering God.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
Fear was the original negative emotion (Genesis 3:10), but far be it that it should be the defining emotion of the children of God. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18)
Apparently, a godly king named Hezekiah well understood the victory over fear available through the God of love:
"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed ... for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
In the face of an overwhelmingly powerful army - when fear would be the more natural reaction - Hezekiah's unwavering faith and confidence in God is clearly evident. His words of confidence to his people were not without basis, because the God of the universe indeed brought miraculous victory (2 Chronicles 32:20-22).
While strength and courage in our Father is the ideal, it is not always the reality. Fear easily creeps in like icy cold on a winter day, robbing us of the warmth of faith and assurance. Much as we desire to live by faith, fear factor becomes the reality.
Thankfulness generated by reflection on past victories of faith is perhaps the best antidote to present fear. God's impeccable record of provision and deliverance in our lives provides basis for dominate faith that overcomes fear. Honestly, has He ever failed you - even once?
"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed ... for the one with us is greater than the one with him." Whatever we are up against has no true basis to instill fear. Life's fear factor are based on human frailty, whereas our strength is based in our Father who is greater. "with us is the LORD (Yahweh) our God to help us and to fight our battles." Let's live this day in the power and victory of faith through our mighty empowering God.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2011
posted by steve @ 9:15 AM
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