A Life with no fear
You’re kidding, right??
How do we get to that place?
A life with no fear. What on earth does that look like? Let me say it looks amazing – like a wonderful way to live. Lol! But I know the real question here is how do we get to that place. To begin with, we must become convinced that it is a real place and it is meant for us to dwell there. In the beginning of my search for deliverance from anxiety, I wasn’t at all sure what I was looking for, or how I would know when I found it. So I just began to search the Word of God for anything that might give me a hint. I started by looking at everything that He had to say about fear and anxiety. Wow!! God did not disappoint. There are numerous commands not to fear. Commands? Did you say commands? Yes, I did. I began to think maybe it wasn’t just a suggestion. Lol!
Fear makes it impossible to look to the future with anticipation of anything good.
First of all, let me clarify that the word “fear” can have several different meanings. There is the “fear” that means profound reverence and awe. This is something that we are commanded TO HAVE for God. This kind of fear is deserving of a discussion all its own, but we will save that for another day. For now, just know that is not the kind of fear that we are talking about here. There is also a “fear” that can be helpful in preserving our safety or our life. For example, if you are being attacked, this fear will trigger the “fight or flight” response that can save your life. That is also not what we are discussing.
The kind of fear that we are talking about now is the kind that causes you to dread getting out of bed in the mornings, and makes it impossible to look to the future with any thoughts of it bringing good things. The kind that causes us to be in constant dread of the next bad thing that is most assuredly headed our way; consequently, making us afraid of job interviews, or social gatherings, or making decisions, or being alone, or having relationships, or going out to buy groceries, or any one of a never-ending list of things that rob our joy and peace. It causes crippling anxiety that paralyzes us where we are – unable to seek new jobs or relationships, unable to make major purchases like buying a house or automobile, and unable to order our personal affairs in a way that is healthy and beneficial to those that we share our lives with. That is the kind of fear that I am talking about.
Just to be sure we agree that God does not intend for us to live our lives in fear, here are a few of the verses that command us not to fear:
Luke 12:32 Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [Jesus to His disciples]
Isaiah 35:4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not!” (Part of God’s prophecy given through Isaiah to the Israelites.)
Mark 5:36 …Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue [Jairus], “Do not fear, only believe.”
Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them [disciples], saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (God to Joshua)
Deuteronomy 1:29 Then I said to you, “Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you…” (Moses to the Israelites)
Joshua 10:25a And Joshua said to them [chiefs of the men of war], “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous.”
I Chronicles 22:13b “Fear not; do not be dismayed.” (David to Solomon)
Exodus 14:13a And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.” (Right before the parting of the Red Sea)
Confusion reigns!
Looking at anxiety in the Bible, we can see that anxiety is one of the weapons of war that God used to fight for Israel. Exodus 23:27 (NIV) says, “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.” Wow! If that does not describe anxiety and panic, I don’t know what does. Have you ever noticed how in the throes of anxiety, your mind just will not work – confusion reigns.
On the other side of the coin, we can also see that anxiety was included in the curse that God pronounced on Israel if they were disobedient. Leviticus 26: 36 (NIV) says, “As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them.” Again, this description perfectly describes anxiety and panic. When in the midst of a panic attack, the fear is so difficult that we want someone – anyone – to deliver us. We start to think we are dying, and we are sure that we have all the symptoms of some dreaded condition – even though nothing is wrong (no one is pursuing). Seeing that fear, anxiety, and panic are things that God made use of in large order, it is no surprise that Satan is making use of those same things to try to cripple his biggest enemy – the bride of Christ.
But, God is always greater than His enemies. Hallelujah!! Don’t ever believe that your problem is too big for God to handle. I can assure you that it isn’t. Our minds and bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made to serve God without being enslaved to fear.
Next week, we will look at fear’s Kryptonite- a guaranteed way of escape. In the coming weeks, we will be looking at more of the ways that God has provided for us to escape, and how to learn to live our lives on The Blessing Road – with no fear. It is an exciting journey!
GUARD RAIL: Realize that you were not created to live in fear.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
2 thoughts on “A Life with no fear. You’re kidding, right?”
I’m just starting to read your blog because it was suggested to me. I am only in the beginning and I am so excited to keep reading. I have been struggling off and on my whole life, I’m a 60 year old woman, and this is exactly what I needed. I can’t wait to read more. God Bless you for sharing!! My goal is to stay on The Blessing Road on my journey. My faith, my church and church family, and now your blog will get me there. My new Pastor and his family are amazing. You just might even know who they are. 💙🙏🦋🙏💙
Thank you for sharing with me! I am so blessed to know that my experiences are helping you. God is amazingly good and faithful, and always leads us to where we need to be when we seek His plan for our lives. Sounds like you are in a good place. Yes, I am rather fond of your pastor and his family. 😉