Afraid
Overcoming When trouble arises
Reflections
It is easy to look around, listen to the news, or feel the pressures of life upon us.
In John 10:10 we read one of God`s promises for abundant life, yet it may not seem like that.
However, we also read the cause – the thief destroys, steals, and kills.
So how can we live life to the full?
This reflection points the way to overcome and looks particularly at some areas that challenge our well-being.
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:13
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you-they are full of the Spirit and life.
John 6:63
We need transformation! Seeing a new life with and in God by His Spirit!
Good advice ..... See the big picture, find the right perspective and follow the instructions.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
A thief has only one thing in mind —
he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy.
But I have come to give you everything
in abundance, more than you expect -
life in its fullness until you overflow!
John 10:1
We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the LORD's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Why are you afraid?
Fear - can be so paralysing. A storm at sea where efforts are thwarted and helplessness takes over, becomes a lesson in how to live. Jesus questions the disciples fear and challenges their faith. When sensing danger and in peril for your life, it seems a natural and reasonable action to fear!
However, Jesus had given orders to go to the other side of the lake. He knew where He was going, and nothing would stop that.
The Lord never promised we will never see a storm, in fact He has told us to expect trouble! John 16:33 But He has promised that He will be with us in the storm. He will never leave us alone in the midst of trouble; and with perseverance we will overcome.
In John 10:10 Jesus says that he came that we might have life to the full, but in the same verse he warned that Satan would try to kill, steal and destroy. One of the ways he uses is to be stuck in the future with fear, anxiety and worry. Often past pain, prompts todays fear about tomorrow.
​
Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
​
The disciples had come to trust him, believing that He can do more than teach. They had evidence of lives changed and sickness healed.
The heart of the story is trust.
Trust needs TRUTH
​
Fear can impact our soul requiring faith, and our minds needing Truth.
​
Jesus calls out to each of us to step out in faith. Even when faith seems unreasonable, and when we can’t see any possible solution on the horizon, He invites us to not be afraid to trust in him.
John 8:31
"You will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free."
​
v36 "if the Son sets you free,
you will be free indeed"
There is no fear in love;
but perfect love casts out fear.
1 John 4:18
Knowing the Truth of God`s perfect love and receiving it personally, banishes fear and increases faith in our Lord, who says “Let`s go..”
Fear cannot be neutralised by bravado, or ignoring it. Fear needs to be acknowledged and respected but then displaced - by love. Abundant life is experienced in the present, so God`s antidote to fear is perfect love experienced in the present through the comfort, care, affirmation and encouragement received from fellow Christians.
Prayer
Thank You, Father, that You are a miracle – working God, then and now! Dispel our fears by increasing our faith, speaking truth in our lives, and revealing more of your perfect love. Amen.
Question :
- When fear arises,
is it emotional requiring comforting love,
volitional seeking increased faith,
or mental challenge to lies believed?
Genesis 15:1 The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.
Genesis 26:24 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you
Exodus 14:13 Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today
Numbers 21:34 Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands
Deuteronomy 3:22 Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor
forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 43:1 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Isaiah 51:7 Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to
heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults.
Matthew 10:31 Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows
“Why are you so afraid?
Do you still have no faith?”
Mark 4:40
Lord, in the storm of life,
increase our faith!
Church of Beatitudes, Galilee.
A natural amphitheatre for Jesus teaching
A challenge to root out lies believed and know the truth of who we are as
children of God.
Fear can impact our soul requiring Faith, and our minds needing Truth, and our Emotions comforted with Love
Lord, Open our eyes to see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly. Amen
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.
Isaiah 26:3
We have a choice - to succumb to fear or to have faith. Fear can be paralysing so requires challenging.
Once we look at the fear it can gain prominence.
​
​
What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. Job 3:25
​
​
​
The Bible often tells us not to fear and to have faith which is in God`s good purposes.
Be comforted by God`s love, establish your faith, and challenge lies by reading some of God`s promises.
​
Meditate on these verses
and let God speak to you
and into your situation.
​
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:2
​
Our God rules and we can trust Him. Look to Him, seeking if He is asking us to act. Use His power, rather than our own, and join Jesus in prayer with gratitude and worship.
Ask Jesus:
What do you want now?
How am I being hurt?
I repent of wrong choices, and seek Your power to change.
Speak, Lord, I am listening.
Follow His guiding
Following these simple steps can help.
When Trouble comes
We are reminded that being a Believer does not mean that we escape hardships, but how we respond can make such a difference and produces character.
​
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2
Praise releases God`s power. An example is Peter in prison praising God and the doors were opened. (Acts 16:25) It`s a choice to praise God for who He is in the face of adversity, but it re-aligns our thoughts to His perspective.
You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies.
Strength rises up with the chorus of singing children. This kind of praise has the power to
shut Satan’s mouth. Childlike worship will silence
the madness of those who oppose you.
Psalm 8:2 The Passion Translation
God has promised to provide direction.
We need to listen and act.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
‘This is the way; walk in it.’
Isaiah 30:21
When trouble comes, a very practical way forward is to seek the council of other, trusted mentors to gain a different perspective and be encouraged.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ
1 Peter 4;12-13
​
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Romans 8:35
​
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
​
The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10
​
God gives us a promise to hold onto.
View some practical suggestions for