Why Am I Afraid? What Does the Bible Say About Fear?

June 11, 2012 by 1 Comment

The Bible has some 365 “Fear nots” in the word. It is probably not a coincidence that there is one for every day. So if the Bible is so full of admonitions to let go of our fears, why do we keep worrying about them?

Well, maybe you don’t even realize that you are afraid. This past weekend I attended a women’s retreat that focused on our fears and what they say about our relationship with God. So what are you afraid of? What are you saying to God with those fears?

Take moment to list things that cause you fear or anxiety or maybe something that just stresses you out.  If you need a little help here’s list of worries that was complied from the average American woman.

  1. health- obsession with exercise, taking vitamins, and eating all natural foods
  2. work- inside or outside of the home
  3. growing old
  4. appearance
  5. home- paying bills to house cleaning
  6. finances
  7. fitting it all in
  8. kids
  9. politics & current events
  10. germs
  11. change
  12. social situations
  13. being alone
  14. weight
  15. divorce
  16. losing a child

These fears may be common to a lot of us.  Many of us may have lives that are characterized by frustration, doubts and anxiety. But I want you to think about this- our fears are not normal. God did not create us to live in fear or to be consumed by worry. God created us for freedom (2 Tim.1:7).

Now consider something else:

This is what the Lord says— the Holy One of Israel and your Creator… I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command… I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!

Take your list of fears and ask yourself if they are bigger than the God who created the earth, people, stretched outer space and commands the stars. Are your worries bigger than the Lord of Heaven’s armies? I’m going to guess not. So why do we still have fears? Why do we live lives that are less than total peace? Because we simply forget who He is.

God says,

“I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” Jer. 32:27

King David the psalmist said, “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” The same God will do the same for you if you let him. Loosen the grip you have on your fears. Let them go today and fall into the arms of God who has promised to never let you go.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one. John 10:27-30

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Meet My Friends Worry, Stress and Anxiety.

March 8, 2012 by 6 Comments

Worry. Stress. Anxiety.

We tend to invite these guests into our daily conversations as if they are totally welcomed.  Worse yet we throw them around pridefully to prove how much we can carry.  We say to the world, “We are strong women. Look! See what we can do!” We behave as if we were a circus act and folks should buy a ticket to witness our great accomplishment.

I know Worry, Stress, and Anxiety all to well. They really bug me sometimes.  They pop in unannounced. They monopolize conversation. Then they leave the place a wreck when they’re done. They even come in at night and rob sleep. I confess yesterday I let Worry stay for dinner, even though she made my hands shake and heart beat fast.  She made my mind drift.  She even invited me to use sharp words with my family.  Then I came upon this verse:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23-24).

I find it pretty interesting that right after “know my anxious thoughts” David asks God to point out anything that “offends” his Master.  So can our anxious thoughts be offensive to God?  What does Worry tell God about our faith? What does Stress whisper to God about our trust?  What does Anxiety reveal to God about our assurance in Him?  I think they relay a clear message that our faith is weak, our trust is impotent and our assurance is skeptical.

That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him.  But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” (John 6:16-20).

Today when you are drifting out to sea and the storm starts swirling, when terror sets in, be still and hear Jesus say, “Don’t be afraid, I am here.”

Then you can give Worry, Stress and Anxiety the news that they are no longer welcome at the table of your heart.

 “So don’t worry about these things… Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”  -Jesus

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