Understanding Our Fears

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Ann Landers, the syndicated advice columnist, was at one time receiving ten thousand letters a month from people with all kinds of problems. Someone asked her if there was one common denominator among all her correspondents. She said that the great overriding theme of all the letters she read was fear—fear of nearly everything imaginable until the problem became, for countless readers, a fear of life itself.

Fear is a universal human emotion. We all experience it in different ways and to varying degrees. Often, we don't take the time to understand why we are afraid, what kind of fear it is (healthy or unhealthy), and we have simplistic answers to solving our fears.

While some fears are rational and protect us, others can become debilitating and prevent us from living the abundant life God intends for us. The Bible makes a clear distinction between healthy fear (reverence for God) and unhealthy fear (terror that paralyzes). When 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear," it's referring to that tormenting fear that keeps us from moving forward in faith. These irrational fears can consume our minds and even affect our physical health. But here's the good news: we don't have to live captive to those fears. God has provided everything we need to face our fears with courage and confidence.

There's a great comedy sketch from MADTV starring the incomparable Bob Newhart as - what else - a psychiatrist. His patient tells him she has a pathological fear of being buried alive in a box. He has two words of wisdom: "Stop it!" Somewhat taken aback, she goes on to detail her other issues: she's bulimic, she's been stuck in a series of abusive relationships, she's a compulsive hand-washer. "Stop it," he says. "Just stop it, what are you, some kind of nut?" After five minutes of this, she's had it. Outraged, she protests that she hates this therapy, it's moving too fast, it's ridiculously simplistic. "You want more?" asks Newhart. She nods. He leans across his desk. "Stop it or I'll bury you alive in a box!" he shouts. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QGsU4rN654]
 
Often, when faced with the emotion of fear, people tend to tell others to just "stop" feeling that way. However, God's Word provides us with promises and strength for those fearful moments. God doesn’t simply instruct us to “stop it.” Instead, He empowers us with His Spirit, gifting us with power, love, and a sound mind. We don’t have to let fear control our lives; instead, we can combat it with the truth of Who God is and the promises He has given us. When fear arises, we don’t need to ignore it or face it alone; we can confront it with faith.

Reflection Question:  What promise from God’s Word can you cling to when fear threatens to take over?

Lord, thank You for not leaving me alone in my fear. Help me replace fear with the truth of Your promises and to rely on the power, love, and sound mind that You have given me. In Jesus' Name, amen.

From "God's Answer for Fear": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/cr3n4pv/6-god-s-answer-for-fear