Every fear is based on a lie. Fear comes because we are listening to a lie. The lie can sound something like, "Did God really say?" Or, "Will God really provide?" "Is it really possible for this to work out?" "Can God really change this circumstance?" "Will God come through?" The lie is a shadow that is cast over the character of God. Maybe he's not going to be good in this situation. Maybe I need to take control. Maybe I won't recover from this. These are lies that Satan wants you to believe.
Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). So, if every lie is based on a fear, then, in essence, fears are Satan's grandkids. And he is very fond of them...
I think fear is one of the favorite tools of Satan. It robs us of many experiences, and can stop us from living in the fullness of God's destiny for us. Allowing fear into our lives can even rob us of our peace and joy. We are afraid of what the future may or may not hold. We are afraid for those we love, for the choices they may or may not make. We are afraid of having enough today, and tomorrow. We are afraid of choices we have made in the past, or choices we have to make in the future. We are afraid that we don't measure up. We are afraid that we are failing. So many fears, so little time...
For many of us the fear is also partnered with a desire to control. Circumstances that are out of our control make us very nervous. Control has almost become like an idol: its our "go to" when things go crazy, instead of going to Jesus first. Things start acting up in our life and we think, "Let me just get in here and take care of this." We go to control, instead of going to Jesus, because not having control makes us feel vulnerable and unsafe, but Jesus wants us to let him have control and trust that he will work it out.
When Jesus was asleep in the boat with his disciples during a storm, the disciples were in a complete panic. They woke him up, saying, "Don't you care that we drown?!" In my mind I picture Jesus looking at their fear struck faces, and saying to himself, "Oh no. We are not giving in to fear today. Not today Satan!" He asked them, "Why are you afraid?" I think he was thinking, don't you know that you're safe with me? I'm with you, so there is nothing to fear. Beloved of God, the very presence of Christ in your boat makes it unsinkable. It doesn't matter how fierce the storm may be, if you're with Him, you're going to be OK. Jesus turned to the storm and silenced it immediately. I almost think that maybe he silenced the storm not for their own safety, but because he could see that fear had taken hold of the disciples, and he was not having it. There is no room for fear in our hearts.
The opposite of love is not hate, it is fear. Perfect love casts out all fear (I John 4:18). "Fear not" is one of (if not the) most repeated command in the Bible. When we allow the love of God to fully permeate every area of our heart, there should be no more room for fear. You do not have to tolerate fear. Fear is not a companion on your journey. Fear is an enemy to your soul. "If you do not look at fear as your enemy, it will defeat you one day." (From the book I happen to be reading right now, Stronger than the Struggle, by Havilah Cunnington.) Do not coddle, excuse, or explain away fear. Look it straight in the eye, and say, "I will not fear for God is with me!"
When God confronted me with my worry, I prayed like this: I confess and repent today from the worry (fear) I have felt over my circumstances in my life. I confess it because fear is really me saying, "I don't trust you God." I choose to trust you God with everything and everyone. It is all yours, and always has been. I release my cares to you. I will not try to manipulate you or my circumstances in order to have control. I will trust you. I know I have found favor with you and I will rest in you. I will stop trying to fix other people and allow you to work on ME. That is who I am responsible for, and I submit myself to you.
See the worry for what it is & do not tolerate it. Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. Replace lies with the truth. Meditate on the truth and force the lies out!
God bless you,
Lisa
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