It is easy to be dominated by fear. Many types of fear can overwhelm a person. Some people are afraid of heights; others are frightened of being closed in a small space. Some are scared of dogs, spiders, mice, and so forth. I have known individuals who were fearful of public speaking. During a class I taught several years ago, I asked the students to come to the front, give their name, the state they were from, and why they were taking the course. One girl uncontrollably shook while answering those simple questions.
The Bible tells us multiple times to “fear not” or do not be afraid. I researched how many times those words occur in the Bible. There were various answers to that question. It really does not matter how many times that phrase occurs. The most important thing we need to understand is that the Father told us we do not have to be afraid.
The Bible indicates that fear is a spirit. Second Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I remember my father-in-law often saying, “Faith and fear cannot reside together. If you are in fear, you are not in faith. If you are in faith, there will be no fear.”
Satan loves to keep us in fear. Years ago, I had a terrible fear of flying. Our entire life has consisted of flying numerous times during the year! At the slightest turbulence, I gripped my husband’s hand so hard it almost bled. It was torturous for me to fly, but there was no other alternative. My father-in-law always taught us to find scripture to stand on for our particular situation.
I searched the Word, and the Lord brought me to Psalm 121:4–8: “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
I knew the most critical time of flying was when the airplane is ascending and descending. This passage fit the situation perfectly as it covered my “going out and coming in.” Those verses calmed my fears. I still pray them whenever I board an airplane. I believe my Heavenly Father honors His Word. Faith in God will dispel any fear the enemy tries to put on you.
Regardless of what kind of storm you may go through, remember that Jesus is in the boat with you. You do not have to be afraid.Lynette Hagin
The devil endeavors to keep you in a state of fear. Peter warned in First Peter 5:8–9 (NLT): “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
I am reminded of when the disciples were in a boat with Jesus, and a storm arose. Mark 4:35–40 (NKJV) says, “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ ”
Regardless of what kind of storm you may go through, remember that Jesus is in the boat with you. You do not have to be afraid. In the same way He said to the disciples, “Let us pass over to the other side,” you will get to the other side if you have faith in God’s promises.
Author
Lynette Hagin
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