FEAR – Here is the cure

Fear – Understand what is happening

One of the most insidious effects of the coronavirus pandemic that has held our world in a vice like grip for nearly 2 years has been an incredible spirit of fear.

Fear of the virus, fear of global agendas, fear of vaccines, fear of not being vaccinated, fear of Government overreach, fear of others with a different view, fear of authority, etc.

The fruit of fear is division and a complete lack of trust in the Lord. The level of fear, vitriol, and distrust between fellow Christians astounds me! So many spend more time chasing conspiracies (see below) than seeking and worshipping the Lord. We must not live in fear, but live in the love and fear of the Lord !! The fear of the Lord brings His peace.

We are exhorted on how to live in Romans 12 and the essence of this is God’s family love to Him and one another. Coronavirus fear has taken so many away from this core message. It’s time to repent from fear and start loving !!

Fear – Here is the cure

I understand the phrase, “Fear not” appears 365 times in the Bible – one for every day of the year.
It appears numerous times in the Psalms and was the anthem of Jesus’ ministry.
That phrase implies we have some control over the level of our personal fears.
Maybe we can ease the torment by guarding the information we ingest.

We can minimise and eliminate our fears by changing our focus and dwelling on the Lord and His word !!
We do this by praise and worship, reading the word, and spending time in His presence.
The victory over fear and situations is well illustrated by the account in 2 Chronicles 20:20-24 where the worshippers went out in front of the army and brought a massive victory without Israel having to fight.

A child may awaken in the night terrified by a nightmare or a scary noise outside the window.
They cry out to their father, who would come sit on the edge of their bed and reassure then that everything was all right.
Knowing he was there beside them, they feel secure enough to fall back asleep and rest in peace.

The answer to our fears is the presence of our heavenly Father.  He is with us even before we pray.

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Jonah 2:2 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. 

Romans 8:35, 37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

John 13:34  A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Romans 8:39 Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Conspiracies

While conspiracy theories often have some elements of truth, upon which supposition and lies are built, there is a bigger question…

How do we as Christians respond?

1. Don’t re-post them !!!
2. Point people to the truth of the word of God and especially the Gospel
3. Minister Truth, Love, Hope, Faith, Healing, Provision and above all the message of Salvation
4. We have the answer and His name is Jesus !!!
5. Our focus is the Kingdom of God
6. Our security is completely in Jesus Christ, crucified, raised, and ascended
7. We carry the word of God to a sick dying world !!!

Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumours of wars. *See that you are not troubled*; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “*All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth*. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Isaiah 8:12  Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,

You are the Prince of Peace. You came to give us your peace. It’s nothing like the world gives. It is peace born in the freedom we have in you, a gift to all God’s children—to guard our hearts and minds.

I can’t escape the troubles of this world. I may face financial difficulties, relationship breakdowns, a health crisis—so many scary challenges. But you tell me to “take heart,” to be encouraged, because you have overcome the world. You have overcome all the things that would discourage and defeat us. I am grateful for your peace that is beyond all my circumstances.