Fear

We all have things we are afraid of. Some of us its the dark, for some its spiders, others its April 15th when taxes are due. I remember a time when I was small, when all of my cousins dressed up for Halloween. I vividly remember my uncle dressing up as a big scary gorilla. I was scared out of my mind. I cried and screamed, and ran away. Ah the days of simple fears. Then as I entered high school I began to fear other things... like how my hair looked, or talking to girls I liked. Our fears seem to evolve and become more complex don’t they? They begin to morph into worry. We worry about our health, worry about our jobs, worry about our relationships, worry about finances. Eventually our fears begin to control us... our actions.... our decisions... our lives.

Do you know what the most common command from God is in the bible ? “FEAR NOT... DO NOT BE AFRAID... DO NOT FEAR” It seems that God has some insight into our lives. He knows how easy it is to begin to live our lives based on fear. Fear steals our joy. It robs us of enjoying life to the fullest. Fear also keeps us from obeying God.

When Mori and I first moved to Cincinnati we knew in our hearts that God wanted us to plant a new church here. But right before we moved we realized that the funding we were counting on would not be available to us. We were faced with a choice. We had clearly heard God speak to us, and we both agreed that we were supposed to plant on the West Side of the city. But we no longer had the comfort of knowing exactly where our finances were going to come from. We had to choose whether to make our decision based on fear, and stay where it was comfortable, or obey God and trust that He would provide. We chose to base our decision on faith (Hebrews 11:1) and the rest is history.

These are a few verses from the Bible that help me as I face fear in my own life...

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10