OVERCOMING AND FACING YOUR FEARS

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17 ESV)

I have never been a person who has been disposed to fear in my life but I certainly have dealt with many who deal with all sorts of fears. It is a disease that literally cripples people and causes them to shut down and not be able to function in life.

Do a word search on your computer about fear and you will find all sorts of fears that people are dealing with: 

Peladophobia: fear of baldness or fear of bald people.
Aerophobia: fear of drafts.
Porphyrophobia: fear of the color purple.
Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people.
Levophobia: fear of objects on the left side of the body.
Dextrophobia: fear of objects on the right side of the body.
Auroraphobia: fear of the northern lights.
Calyprophobia: fear of obscure meanings.
Thalassophobia: fear of being seated.
Stabisbasiphobia: fear of standing and walking.
Odontophobia: fear of teeth.
Graphophobia: fear of writing in public.
Phobophobia: fear of being afraid.
Etc., Etc. Etc.

I like how one person defined fear: 

F. alse
E. evidence
A. ppearing
R. eal

I also think it is interesting that there are 366 “Fear nots” in the Bible – one for every day in the year, including one for leap year!

It seems… that there is a constant battle between fear and trust life. Yes, there is a healthy place for fear but I must also not allow it to overrule me. I want trust to be stronger quality instead of fear. I never want the “no” of fear to trump the “yes” of faith.

Fear makes two appearances in the story of Jesus walking o the water. First, the disciples are afraid because they do not understand that Jesus is with them in the storm. Trust says jump. Fear says no. Peter jumped. And for a while – everything went smoothly. Then fear struck a second time – He saw the wind. And this led to the next phase – HE BECAME FRIGHTENED. His response to the wind and the storm was to give in to fear. He lost he sense of confidence that Jesus was master of the situation. He did not just sink in the water, but he sank in his own anxiety and worry.

I believe the reason God says “fear not” so often is that fear will sink us faster than anything else. Fear disrupts faith and becomes the biggest obstacles to trusting and obeying God.

- Perhaps God is calling you to switch careers, to do something bold for God – but fear is holding 

you back.

- Perhaps you’re in a marriage that is painful and abusive – but fear is keeping you from 

acknowledging the reality and seeking help.

- Or perhaps you are someone who has a hard time just committing to God because you keep 

waiting for the other shoe to drop in your life?

What are the things that bring fear into your life on an on going basis?

Trust and fear have been battling each other for your heart for a long time now. Eventually one or the other will win.

Think about your life today. WHAT IS JESUS CALLING YOU TO JUMP TO HIM WITH RECKLESS ABANDON?

What is keeping you in the boat? I suspect it is fear.

We need to push through the area of fear.

And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. (Exodus 14:13 ESV)

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 ESV)

Believers today are living in bondage. But just like Israel was delivered from Pharaoh, you have been delivered from Satan. Therefore, no shackle or stronghold has the power to hold you captive to:

- Physical bondages—Addictions and habits
- Mental bondages—Fear, depression, guilt, anger
- Spiritual bondages—Idolatry, witchcraft

You can be delivered today and walk in freedom.

Trust the words of our Savior that say: 

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . to proclaim release to the captives . . . to set free those who are oppressed” (Luke 4:18 NASB).

Addendum: Jentezen Franklin writes about how to fight off fear in your life. I think this is worth reading and keeping for future reference.

FEAR FIGHTERS

How To Live With Confidence In A World Driven By Fear

Facing Off With Your Fears: Matt 8:26/ 14:27/ 17:7/ Mark 5:36/ Jn 14:27/ Is 12:2/ 41:10/ 55:11/ 3:25-26/ Psalm 91

- Jesus with me, and He has all the power

- God is not just the God of the top; He is also the God of the bottom
- I have faith for this
- Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes do
- God responds to courage that is demonstrated in the midst of fear

Your Refuge From Fear – 2 Sam 22:2-3/ Ps 18:3/ 50:15/ 61:3/ 78:53

- Christ will restore back to you everything you lost as a result of sin’s power in your life
- With God, there is no boundaries, just possibilities
- He’s under the shadow of the Almighty! We have to rescue him!
- In Him we live and move and have our being
- Tell the enemy that the Lord is the author and the finisher of your faith

Your Fight Of Faith – Ps 60:12/ Rom 8:37/ 1 Cor 15:57/ Gal 2:20/ 1 Peter 5:8-9

- Walking in faith is a win-win situation
- It’s never too late for faith

- Faith has never lost a battle

Fight For Your Family – Jos 24:15/ Ps 127:3-4/ Pr 20:7; 11/ 22:6/ Eph 6:4

- Obey the Word of God, show mercy, and strive to live in peace
- The blood of Jesus cleanses and protects your home

The Fear Of Not Having Enough – Ps 34:9-10/ 35:27/ 112:1-3; 7/ Matt 6:30/ 3 John 2

- God is Master in times of disaster
- I have been young and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his 

  descendants begging for bread – Ps 37:25

- God knows how to move you from financial lack to abundance

Fighting The Fear Of Failure – Josh 1:9/ Ps 27:14/ Is 41:14/ 54:4

- Fear of failure makes you hide from opportunity
- God can fix anything as long as you confront the situation in His powerful name
- A fear fighter takes risks against all odds

Overcoming The Fear Of People – Ps 118:6/ Jer 29:11/ Luke 12:32/ Matt 28:20/ Heb 13:5

- Receiving the love of Jesus is the first step to overcoming fear of rejection
- To God, you count. You are somebody
- The Lord will never leave you alone or forsake you
- God only thinks good things about me and plans good things for me

The Fear Of Eternity – John 14:1-3/ 1 Pet 1:3/ Heb 2:14-15/ 2 Cor 5:8/ Rev 1:18

- There is no escape from hell
- If you repent, God will think your sins out of existence
- If you win the battle today, you will be promoted tomorrow
- Choosing to become a fear fighter guarantees that you will be an over comer in His Kingdom