This Thing Called Fear.

27 Jan This Thing Called Fear.

One night I was awakened by the need to use the toilet but froze at the sight of this person standing right at the foot of our bed staring down at us in the dark. I thought of tapping my husband to do something about the man and the situation but I was afraid to move, he might notice and hasten his attack, so I laid still…paralyzed in my fear. Just as I felt my heart almost pounding right through my ribs, the headlight of a passing vehicle shined through the blinds into that area of our room and I saw that it was only my husband’s trousers that hung on the closet door, but I was so sure it was someone who had come to attack us. Isn’t it funny how we sometimes fear absolutely nothing!

Have you ever been afraid? Click To Tweet

I know…I know the answer, you most certainly have been afraid more times than you can remember or care to admit. I have been afraid several times; fear of rats, snakes, death of a loved one, failure, war, end of the world (when so many of my loved ones are not saved)… you name it!
Now, it is true that like me, you might have been afraid of something that did not even exist, but what about when a real ugly or deadly situation is up in our face?
Racing heart beats, restlessness, sweaty palms, dry mouth, body shivers, short breaths…

Troubles Are Everywhere.
The world we live in presents us genuine reasons to fear… the political, social, economic situation in the globe is alarming. Kidnappings, shootings and killings of all kinds, insecurity even right in the confines of your own home, in your own country. The threats are too many and I know that at one time or the other these thoughts cross our hearts and even if for a split second we lean towards fear and hopelessness.

Fear is common to every human on the earth, the only difference is in how each person handles it.

I do not mean to paint this depressing picture; but fear does exist, however, something… SOMEONE GREATER AND STRONGER THAN FEAR DOES NOT ONLY EXIST, HE LIVES!

One key to dealing with fear is taking our eyes and hearts of the thing, person or situation and put them on our God who is bigger than the reason for fear and fear itself.
I love a scripture in Psalm – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV

Some Examples For Us.
David was faced with death, the Philistines had captured him in Gath and I believe fear visited him that day. But he refused to dwell on his fears, he took his eyes of his immediate surroundings and looking into the supernatural, to The God who had delivered him severally and put his trust in him.
I am certain God showed him mercy because he declared his trust in Him in the face of death.

Some would ask, ‘does it mean that those who died in the hands of their enemies did not trust God?’ I am not sure I have the right answer to that question, but I know that God commands that we trust Him, even in the face of the most deadly situation; think of Daniel in the lions’ den, Paul and Silas in prison, Peter in prison while Herod waited to execute him… faith and trust in God delivered them all.

Trust Versus Fear.
The Bible says that fear has torment 1 John4:18, and that is the intent of the enemy for us when he sends his spirit of fear to us. Sleeplessness, worry, sadness, hopelessness, restlessness, sickness, and all the other torments that come with fear.  When we entertain fear, we give the enemy an opening to enter our lives and launch his full attack.
Trusting God on the other hand gives us peace, hope, joy and rest. We can relax in the knowing that He has promised to help us and He is faithful to His word. If He has ever delivered you, or anyone you know, then He is willing and able to deliver you too, again and again. Look at His promise in Isaiah 41:8-14 NIV

8 “But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. 14 Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

What powerful promises God has made here! Unfortunately, any time we dwell on our fears instead of God’s promises, trusting Him becomes a huge challenge.

But God told us severally in scriptures to refuse fear and embrace trust in Him;
– In His ability to deliver.
– In His willingness to deliver.
– In His faithfulness to deliver.

We must refuse and rebuke the spirit of fear with The Word Of God! In these turbulent and uncertain times, God wants us to trust Him instead of letting the enemy cripple us with fear. Our victory over wickedness is our trust in the power and faithfulness of God to deliver us. Our God is greater, stronger and higher than all the evil forces unleashed against us in this world, the thought of this should give us hope and peace.

Let our fears drive us to God and His word, instead of despondency! Click To Tweet

Let us say and maintain like David; ‘When I am afraid, I will trust in You (GOD).’

What is your fear story?
How do you handle fear?

Copyright© Ugochi Oritsejolomisan
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