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The Fear Factor
October 1, 2008
The restraining order has been served, the locks have been changed and the safety plan is in place. If I see the light in the front left window has gone out call the police right away.
She’s the victim of domestic violence and she lives across the street. She’s scared, he told her he is the devil, there’s nothing she can do to stop him.
A co-worker sits in my office, he’s put some of his money in foreign currency and with his remaining money he’s bought gold and silver. Fear is written on his face, “it’s only going to get worse,” he says. He has a lot of money. It’s his security, his retirement, the efforts of years of hard work.
The world can be a frightening place. Fear can cause us great pain, we don’t know what to do, and frequently we are rendered powerless. We can become overwhelmed in our fear. Fear emotionally cripples us and plants seeds of doubt in our hearts and minds.
John Ortberg said in his book “IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER YOU HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT”, that there are 365 scriptures in the Bible that talk about fear? Now think about this, do you think that God knew we were going to be a people with great fear? He planned for it!
We could use some of those scriptures with the neighbor who is experiencing domestic violence. Hebrews 13:6 “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” In Christ we have perfect peace. Deuteronomy 31:8 “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” God assures us victory over our enemy’s.
The co-worker worried about his money. Proverbs 3:25-26 “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” God intervenes and rescues. Isaiah 41:13 "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." The poor and needy will be cared for by the Lord. And this is one of my favorites: Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.”
Realize the author of fear is Satan. Maybe you don't believe in the devil, but Jesus did. He spoke of him frequently. In Genesis 3 we find that the deceit of sin gave birth to fear. From the beginning of time the devil has used fear as his quicksand to sink Christians. Don't submit to his ploy.
What are you afraid of today? What are your “what if’s”? What mistake have you made that you fear repercussions from? God has an answer for all of them.
Rhoda
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