OVERCOMING FEAR
Overcoming Fear
Part I January/February 2002
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; ... Do not fear, for I am with you ... Isaiah 43:1-5 (NAS)
Just how many of us would be truthful with ourselves and say that we have read the above scripture from Isaiah forth-three at least one hundred times? How many would say that they truly believe what they've read? Please allow me the liberty to place some emphasis on particular words within this scripture. (1) DO NOT FEAR - it seems clear that Father is not offering an option but stating a command for us to obey. (2) I HAVE REDEEMED you - it's a "done deal" and we can't add to or take away anything from what He's already done. (3) I HAVE CALLED you by name; YOU ARE MINE - looks like His choice, His calling at the time of His choosing...what is there for us to do? Nothing! Nada! Zip! (4) WHEN you pass .... I WILL ... rivers WILL NOT - please notice that it doesn't say IF you pass, but WHEN He will be with us and also any river won't drown us. (5) WHEN you walk through the fire - there will be fire in everyone's life (Malachi 3:2,3) but it is not designed to destroy us but to burn away impurities. (6) I AM - the same I AM that was with Moses is with us at all times. He is to us whatever we need Him to be at the time. (7) DO NOT FEAR- another command, twice in seven verses, must be important for us to heed.
I made an interesting observation while doing some research for this article. The word fear is used a total of four hundred times from Genesis to Revelation. The first appearance of the word is in Genesis 15:1 and the last appearance is Revelation 15:4. The word translated fear in the Old Testament is yare' {yaw-ray'} and the primary meaning is to fear, revere, be afraid. It has also been translated to mean: afraid; terrible; terrible thing; dreadful; reverence; fearful; terrible acts. Overall, it doesn't mean any good thing that we should desire it being in our makeup. The word translated fear in the New Testament is phobeo {fob-eh'-o} and the primary meaning is to put to flight, to flee. It has been variously translated to mean: fear; be afraid; be afraid of; reverence. Notice the resemblance to a modern word, phobia. Again, some traits that no one should desire to have operating within themselves.
Did you pick up on the presence of the word "reverence" in the various definitions of both the Hebrew and the Greek? I'm sure that those are used when referring to having a reverential fear (being in awe) of the Lord. As an aside, this particular translation is also used as an admonition to wives: Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. I would like to clarify this verse from KJV by inserting the Amplified version. I think it makes the point very well about "fearing a husband." - However, let each man of you (without exception) love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband - that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly. Sounds like a tall order until you view verse 25 - Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her... This is not a teaching on marriage, but isn't that a splendid balance of mutual respect? We should all strive for that! - Back to the subject at hand.
How often do we either hear or speak expressions like: it scared me to death; I'm just dying to go; I'm afraid to fly (drive, sail); that scared the life out of me..etc.. If you'll notice, a significant amount of the speech patterns in America are based in fear and death. I personally feel that death is the 'big umbrella' that covers all different types of fear. People who call themselves Christians are just as prone to speaking fear and death as anyone else, sometimes even more so. Of all people, Christians should be aware of what is allowed to come out of their mouth. We should train ourselves to hear what we're going to say before we speak it into existence. Words can NEVER be called back. No more than the words that the Creator God spoke as He created the spirit realm in Genesis chapter one. Science today still has no explanation for why the universe is still expanding but to me, the reason is obvious. The spoken word is still going forth and the universe is expanding at the speed of light, 186,000 miles per second. The words that we speak are just as important as the ones that Father spoke and is speaking. After all, in Psalm eight, we are called "gods", not to say that we are taking His place, but that we are of His seed, therefore his kids and entitled to be called by His identification. For example, my wife was born a Bailey, and when I married her, she changed her last name to Doyle, but that did not preclude her from still being a Bailey. We are the same in God's eyes - we are god's!! Therefore, life and death are in the power of our tongue! Pay attention to what you speak at all times!
Fear is an attribute that has the ability to completely nullify any faith that we posses if we allow it to have control of our thought life. I have been asked if I believe in the devil. My answer is, no. I believe he exists, at least in peoples minds, but I don't believe in him. Whoever one believes in is the one that is followed. Believe in Father God and follow Him and His ways. If you do that you won't go wrong. Does that mean that fear doesn't attempt to flare up in different situations? No, it does. How we react to it's presence is extremely important. Scripture admonishes us to "submit to God, resist the devil (fear) and he will flee (run in stark terror) from you." We are also told in scripture that "the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking those he can devour." Notice please, that he is only AS a roaring lion (not really one). The only ones that he can devour are those who submit to his lies and deceptions. I have presented a definition of fear in the past, that I think is appropriate to repeat at this time. Fear is - False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear comes when we consider circumstances in the natural realm to be more real than those in the spiritual realm. It is imperative that we know what God says about any given situation. In other words, Whose report will you believe? If you go with what the world says, you will get world results. If you go with what the word of God says, you will get the results set forth there. Which do you prefer? If you're sick and tired of getting what you're getting, it is necessary to change not only what you're saying, but also what you're doing. I have been convinced for years that our lives are nothing more than sowing and reaping. We will definitely reap the thing(s) that we sow by our words and actions. Bad seed, bad crop. Good seed, good crop. What kind of farmer would you want to be?
What is the main thing that can overcome fear? Peace! We have the promise of Father in Isaiah 26:3 that He will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our mind stayed on Him. Using my bible program, I can only find one word for peace in the Old Testament, it is - shalom {shaw-lome'} and is normally perceived to be: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, safety, health, prosperity, peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment, friendship with God especially in covenant relationship. In the New Testament, there are five different Greek words used. They basically have different shadings but the primary one used is - eirene {i-ray'-nay} and is variously translated as: peace; one; rest; quietness. 1) a state of national tranquillity 1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war 2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord 3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous) 4) of the Messiah's peace 4a) the way that leads to peace (salvation) 5) of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is.
In order to keep everything I have said, or will say, in perspective, we must understand that Jesus walked the earth and did everything that he did as a flesh, blood and bone man. We read in Hebrews 2:14 - "Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil;" - Since Jesus told us in Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" we must realize that the word for perfect here is the Greek word teleios {tel'-i-os} and it carries the meaning of - 1) brought to its end, finished 2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness 3) perfect 4) that which is perfect 4a) consummate human integrity and virtue 4b) of men 4b1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature. If, Jesus had done anything while He tabernacled (made His tent) among us, as God, that one single act would have nullified the command to be perfect (4b1 above). He laid aside everything that was of God to come to earth in a body (Heb 10:5b). That was the only way to completely defeat the curse of death (not eternal separation) imposed on Adam in the garden. All that being said, let's press on to our daily walk here in the "nasty now and now", not the "sweet bye and bye."
Let us look at an incident in scripture that should speak to all of us. We read the following in Mark 4:35 - And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? (emphasis mine) I have personally been at sea, caught in hurricane conditions several times. As a matter of fact, during one particular storm, the ship rolled forty-seven (47) degrees. The navigator marked it on the inclinometer in the survey lab. Yes, that was scary, and yes, I spoke to the storm but it didn't cease immediately. I'm sure that I wavered a bit in my faith that Father would keep the ship safe. Obviously, He did, or I wouldn't be writing this. When one observes the forces of nature in operation you can began to realize the awesome power of The Creator. Awesome is the only way that I can describe it.
Let us dissect the above scripture and see if we can learn anything to apply to our lives today. First of all, He said "let us pass over unto the other side." It was not a suggestion, but a statement. Basically, we're going to the other side of the lake. Enroute there arose a great storm. There will come a time when there will be no more need for storms. In Rev 21:1 - "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." Until that time, we must be tried and tested until we discover that He becomes our peace in the MIDST of the storm. Jesus was in the boat with them but that didn't preclude them facing a storm. As today, His presence does not guarantee that there will be no trial, however it does guarantee that He is with us to bring us through it in triumph, developing our faith in the process. There are times when storms arise unexpectently and we ask God "where are You?" He is there with us - "I'll never leave you or forsake you." Do you sometimes think that the attack of September 11th caught God by surprise? No way, Jose! Our question concerning that should be, what are we as a nation, and I as an individual, supposed to learn from this horrible tragedy? I have a personal answer that I'm not prepared to share at this time. Next, after the disciples woke Jesus up because they were so afraid, He rebuked the storm with the words - Peace! be still! The word translated peace here is the Greek word siopao {see-o-pah'-o} meaning - to be silent, hold one's peace. How appropriate for us to be silent and hold the peace we have in the face of any storm that may arise. Isn't it curious that the disciples had the MAN Jesus in the boat with them and yet they wanted to get Him involved in the physical realm that concerned them. We today are no different. We want to achieve the goose-bumps; have our hair stand on end; get the jerks, etc., even though we know that God is Spirit and we should worship Him in Spirit and truth. That means that our flesh man is out of the picture. Did not Apostle Paul say that his flesh man was dead and he lived by the Spirit within him? So we should be dead to the flesh man. The majority of folk who call themselves Christian, are not Christlike at all. Oh yes, they attend services, give a certain amount of money, do a few good works and therefore, consider themselves to be good Christians. Really? The disciples walked, talked and ate with Jesus. Yet, after he calmed the storm with a word, he asked them why they were so fearful? Why is it you have no faith? So to today. Christians are running hither and yon seeking signs and wonders to appear in the natural realm when we are told in scripture that signs and wonders are for the unbeliever. A person who walks in faith should not feel the need to seek such to verify the presence of God within them - and that is exactly where He is.
To put our walk in the proper perspective we only need to look at scripture. Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. It should be obvious that it is the believer who is to be doing the signs and wonders. The time has come for the called out body of believers to arise and shine. Let the glory of God that is within you emit to the world around you. The creation is groaning awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God. That's us. What else do we need to know before we truly allow Holy Spirit to complete the change required in each of us in order to bring the above to pass? Do not allow fear, of the circumstances or situations, to deter you from doing what ever Holy Spirit leads you to do.
(to be continued)
Shalom,
Frank
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Thoughts from Barbara
Brothers and Sisters,
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
DO NOT FEAR.....Isaiah 43:1
As a new Christian I felt Isaiah 43:1 had to come first and then I could do all things! As I have grown I realize I had it backwards. Not fearing was one of those things that I could do but only after I trusted Jesus enough to believe that He would strengthen me. As I started "knowing" our Father and His character, that "He is not a man that He should lie" then I realized I had nothing to fear but fear itself and that's just a spirit. Spiders became smaller and smaller, people just don't bother me anymore and as far as I know right now, flying, driving or walking anywhere by myself is no problem. I know Holy Spirit knows all about me and He will be with me. I do my best to keep my mind staid on Him and He keeps me in perfect peace. When I allow myself to be moved by what could happen-guess who shows up? You guessed it-Fear! That's when I stop and consider the spiritual realm and cast down imaginations so He can rule and reign again-THEN I do not fear. I wish I could say I was speaking complete victory everytime but I am striving for maturity and that's what He wants. My goal in life is to reach maturity in Him, no matter what it takes. I CAN do all things through Christ (the anointing) who strengthens me!!
Join me,
Barbara
2Tim2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
Published by
Life Givers Ministries Frank and Barbara Doyle PO Box 251 Lincolnton GA 30817-0251 706-359-6977