Day 93 - Fear

McDowell Christian Ministries                    LMCM

Nacogdoches,Texas                                          Gal. 2:20 KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 33

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859    almi@abidinglife.com

Two days ago two bomb blasts rocked the area at the Finish Line of the Boston Marathon.  Evil did a horrific work in so many people’s lives.  Three were murdered.  Over 150 others were injured, some beyond comprehension.  And an untold number were affected in numerous ways.  Immediately, fear gripped the hearts of thousands in the area, and who knows how many around the world.  Fear…a dramatic emotion which the Bible actually calls a “spirit” (2 Timothy 1:7).  The Apostle Paul tells us that as Christians we have not received the “spirit of bondage again to fear, but (we) have received the Spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15). A big question surfaces:  how are we to respond when confronted with a dangerous situation, dangerous people, or when anything of a destructive nature “looks us in the face”?  Peter gives us encouragement to “not fear” those who would intimidate us.  Look closely as Michael gives us some beautiful thoughts on what we as Christians are “suited for” when fear, or those bringing fear, works against us…and how we can live free from fear.

DAY 93

Fear

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. –I Peter 3:13-15

We are not suited for fear, which began for mankind in the garden when Adam and Eve fell away from the presence of God. Before that, they had been filled with confidence and assurance of the future, since they possessed a God. Man was not created to be independent, and in that sense, fear is the result of not staying dependent on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Fear is the friend of sin, Satan, and the world, for it makes us buy insurance, new cars, and investments; constantly focus on money; refuse a risk; and stay at a job we hate. We were created for trust and calm, so fear in our mind, will, and emotions creates sickness in our bodies.

           

We must become free from fearing anything less than God, and that is simpler than it sounds. We allowed fear in when we were taught it, and now we must invite it out. Fear is not dealt with through endless examination; we can refuse it. Look at fear and ask why we would allow it in our lives. We need to recognize we have a God and then change our minds about letting fear dwell in us. Some East Indians have an interesting way of physiologically dealing with thoughts they seem stuck with but do not wish to entertain: They bat their eyes! They say they cannot continue with a thought while batting their eyes. A change of activities might also help the mind get unstuck from the bad-habit rut of reviewing fearful thought patterns. Invite the fear out verbally, and then go to a mirror, examine the face’s worry lines, and begin to laugh. Remember that fear is the result of being self-centered, not God centered, and it has been called the measure of the distance between man and God.

Fear is a topic many preachers and teachers dread to address.  Why?  Because so many Christians live with many, varied “fears.”  Yet, God has explicitly told us to not live with/in fear.  I am so happy Michael has faced this.

Let me encourage you to use the following lists of the truths Michael gives of “who we are/what we have in Christ,”  the truths Michael gives of “how we allow fear to come into our lives,” and the “actions Michael gives of ridding our lives of this dangerous emotion/spirit.”  Be serious.   Be concerned to help others you might know who suffer from this dreadful, damaging issue.

“who we are/what we have in Christ”:

·         We are not suited for fear.

·         We possess God.

·         We were created to stay dependent on every word that proceeds from the

     mouth of God.

·         We were created for trust and calm.

·         We can refuse fear.

·         (as Peter said)  We are blessed.

“how we allow fear to come into our lives”:

·         Not staying dependent on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

·         Fearing anything less than God.

·         We have been taught it.

·         Being self-centered instead of God-centered.

“actions Michael gives for ridding our lives of this dangerous emotion/spirit”:

·         Invite the fear out verbally.

·         Refuse it.

·         Ask why we would allow it in our lives.

·         Recognize we have God and change our minds about letting fear dwell in us.

·         Change activities to help the mind get unstuck from the bad habit rut of

     reviewing fearful thought patterns.

·         Believe God.  Ask God to take any fear away.

·         (as Peter said) Sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts.

What do we want…lives of peace, calm, assurance…or, lives of fear, worry, doubt?  What a choice.  And with Christ, we get to choose.  “I can do all things through Christ.”  Well, amen.

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point       Green – IT, Incredible Truth

Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches          Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                         936-559-5696