“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John. 4:18.
The most common emotion in the lives of human beings is fear. Fear, by definition, is a response which seeks to avoid threatening danger. Fear is our reaction when danger threatens. Irrational fears that go beyond the scope of common sense are sometimes called “phobias.” Psychologists name more than 200 of them—each with a technical name. There is one called “acrophobia”—fear of high places; another called “claustrophobia”—fear of closed places; another called “nyctophobia”—fear of dark places; etc.
The physical effects of fear can be serious and devastating, but it is far more serious to realise what fear can do to our spiritual condition. Fear can lead to instability, unhappiness, and a lack of contentment. It is the enemy of faith. It saps spiritual vitality and it can paralyse the soul. We sometimes fall victim to fear either because we lack knowledge about God’s promises in the Bible, or because we lack faith to believe that those promises are true.
One perfect remedy for overcoming fear is true love for God. A fearful child loses his fear when he nestles in his mother’s arms. We are not afraid to fall asleep if we are surrounded by those who love us. Just so, when a person loves God, and has faith in Him as the Controller of the universe, he does not need to be a slave to superstition and fear. Note what the Psalmist says in Psalm 34:4. “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Fear departs in the presence of the Lord! As long as the Apostle Peter kept looking to Jesus (when he was walking on the water), he was able to stay above the water. Keep your eyes on Jesus, don’t let fear cripple you.
FURTHER READING:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psa. 23:4.
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psa. 118:6.
DECLARATION:
Dear Abba Father, thank You for another day, the entrance of Your word that brings light and understanding. Lord, give me the faith to receive your word, the understanding to know what it means, and the will to put it into practice and achieve accurate and definite results. Help me to become a bright and shining light that cannot be put out by the enemy. Let all that pertain to my life receive the grace for supernatural exploits in Jesus name, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matt. 22:1-46. Matt. 23:1-39. Matt. 24:1-51. Matt. 25:1-46.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“One Of My Greatest Discoveries Is That I Found Out That I Could Do What I Was Afraid I Couldn’t Do.”
The Fortress Int’l Church, 2 Floor 10 Coker Road, Opposite Chicken Republic Ilupeju Lagos, Nigeria. http://www.thefortresschurch.com. Email:info@thefortresschurch.com.
