ODB: The Remedy for Fear
February 20, 2012
Trust in the Lord is the cure for a fearful spirit.
READ: Psalm 34:1-10
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. —Psalm 34:4
In his first inaugural speech in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt, the newly elected president of the US, addressed a nation that was still reeling from the Great Depression. Hoping to ignite a more optimistic outlook regarding that economic crisis, he declared, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!”
Fear often shows up in our lives when we are at risk of losing something—our wealth, health, reputation, position, safety, family, friends. It reveals our innate desire to protect the things in life that are important to us, rather than fully entrusting them to God’s care and control. When fear takes over, it cripples us emotionally and saps us spiritually. We’re afraid to tell others about Christ, to extend our lives and resources for the benefit of others, or to venture into new territory. A fearful spirit is more vulnerable to the enemy, who tempts us to compromise biblical convictions and to take matters into our own hands.
The remedy for fear, of course, is trust in our Creator. Only when we trust the reality of God’s presence, power, protection, and provision for our lives can we share the joy of the psalmist, who said, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4).
— Joe Stowell
Source: Our Daily Bread
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In 1 John 4:18, There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. This chapter speaks on the need to acknowledge who Jesus is and how God’s love is demonstrated through His Son besides knowing Him. Therefore, the only fear we need to have is the fear of the Lord.
There is not a greater sleep thief than Fear! It is one of the prime accused and always one of the party proven guilty for such an offence. Fear takes pride in being so proficient when it comes to shaking our nerves and paralysing our lives. Nothing compares to the horror unleashed by sleepless nights, over sprinkled with worries, tosses and turns. Waking up in the middle of the night, soaked with worries and scared out of your wits, is just one of the fine prints left by Fear. One of its very well coordinated plan of action, a trademark if you may! Fear keeps our heads down and then we tend to close our eyes tight but the sad truth is that seldom do we close them tight to pray. But then when we are panting in desperation, hopelessness and in fear, a promise is fulfilled (John 14:26) and an assurance comes to mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and we realise that we were never ‘designed’ to fear (which I believe is the reason why we never and will never grow accustomed to fear) There is no comforting fact than the fact that Jesus watches over us. Therefore it’s high time and proper sense to remember those Sweet sweet words of 1 John 4:18, which promise the expulsion and the extermination of Fears in the PERFECT LOVE of Christ. Oh! By the way, this PERFECT LOVE of Christ is also the one thing that Fear fears! Jesus’ loves keeps and bless you! Relax-He watches over us all!