“After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Gen. 15:1
At any point in our lives, we all deal with one fear or another. But by the grace of God some have learnt to cast all their anxieties (fears) on Christ (1Pt. 5:7; Phil. 4:8); while others are crippled, crushed and dysfunctional due to fear. Fear is an emotional response to an overwhelming situation that we have no control over.
Every time an angel of God appeared to humans the first words spoken are: “Do not be afraid.” In any given situation, we all wish to hear those reassuring words just as Abraham heard it. Guess what! You just heard them directly from God through His Word. Do not be afraid appears so many times in the Bible that you can have one for each day of the year. You do not need to wait to hear those words from an angel, a vision or a dream to calm us down.
The Bible is the perfect Word of God, good enough for every situation. God and His Word cannot be separated. Heaven and earth will pass away, but His Word will never pass away. If God is your shield what is there to be afraid of? If God is your great reward what else are you chasing after? Fear is due to lack of trust in our all-powerful, dependable and faithful Father. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2Tim. 1:7.
Still having some fear?
I believe that the discussion on this topic is an elemental issue with all Christians, and in particular our leaders in all levels of organizations.
Having lived in Nigeria for 6 years along side the ECWA medical ministry in Egbe, Kogi State, I have noticed that “fear” has crept into our lives without realizing it is there. Not only our lives but into the progress of our various ministries. (I only use Egbe, as an example, in something that I have seen first hand within our people) If we were honest with each other, I think we can examine ourselves and say that “Fear” has become a part of us.
Since I now work within the Fulani community, it has become even more evident within the churches, when Pastors, and Elders, pray for the “rain fire down on the Fulani” or may God destroy the “Fulani” attitudes in our establish churches. How fear has taken control of our prayers to the Lord.
I think that the Devil is in this kind of fear, to short-sight us into being more about “safe” and have protected communities, instead of the mission mindedness of saving the lost souls for Jesus.
Dear Mr. Bradford,
I am referring to your comment below which you made to my post over a year ago. Somehow, I did not see your response until it was forwarded to me today by our webmaster. I am to blame and not him.
Thank you for honestly sharing your observation about fear in Nigeria and unfortunately even here in America. Anytime someone acts irrationally, every indication is pointing to fear as the basis. I will agree with anyone who says that fear and trust are mutually exclusive. It looks so to me. It is just as light and darkness cannot mutually coexist.
I am saddened and I know for sure that God is displeased with believers praying that our enemies should die! Self preservation, lost of our mission and ignorance of Scriptures all contribute to this unfortunate situation. Our enemy is not flesh and blood. It is Satan working through humans like us that Jesus came to save. Except for the grace of God, we too were once used by Satan to carry out his mission of stealing, killing and destroying (John 10:10). But we should be about the mission of Jesus Christ which is to lay down our lives so that the lost might be saved.
Oh Lord, open our eyes to see things as you see them and to do your will not letting fear to cripple us.
Amen!
Sunday Bwanhot