Yes I know that 1 Corinthians 13:13 says And now abide
faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love, but
with the fear and worry generated by COVID-19, crime,racial unrest, police brutality, recession, a very contentious election, etc. I say this “And now abide worry, fear, faith, but the greatest of these is faith.
"Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American
adults - 18% of the population - in a given year, according to the National
Institute of Mental Health. The disorders run the gamut from panic attacks and
specific phobias to obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress
disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, a random kind of worry described as
free-floating and relentless. Sufferers also have a high incidence of
depression and physical ailments, including migraines, high blood pressure,
heart disease, digestive disorders and chronic pain, according to NIMH....Being
unable to sleep or relax without alcohol or medication are also red
flags." (WSJ, Tuesday, June 10, 2012).
Here’s what the Apostle Paul said;
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
God; 7 and the peace of God, which
surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus.
Worry
You've probably seen this quote posted on Facebook, Twitter,
or Google+ at least once. "O God, grant us the serenity to accept what
cannot be changed, the courage to change what can be changed, and the wisdom to
know the difference." It’s part of The
Serenity Prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr. (Click here to see the entire prayer)
I've heard this too; There are two things we should not
worry about: the things we can change (we need to get busy and do something
about these), and the things we cannot change (no amount of worry will help
these). Instead we should let God give us the courage and strength to master
the unavoidable, for with God, nothing is impossible.”
Worry is the enemy of faith because when we are worrying we
are not trusting.
Fear
Fear is the atmosphere of worry. Nothing weakens us as much
as fear. God calls to us to not fear,
but to simply trust Him in everything. We
dishonor God when we let fear get the best of us causing us to not believe God
or His Word. Luke 1:74 (NKJV) 74 To
grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him
without fear,
The word “fear” is
used 385 times in the Bible so it must be important to God and something that
He wants us to understand.
When we have fear, we cannot have faith. There is a danger
then of it becoming unbelief which is the greatest sin a person can commit. It starts
with doubt, moves to worry and then becomes fear. Fear defeats the promises of
God. Matthew 13:58 (NKJV) Now He did not do many
mighty works there because of their unbelief.
If you've read some of my previous posts here or on
FaithTheEvidence.Com you know that one of my favorite authors is Charles
Spurgeon. Here’s what he says’
“We must not fear; for
fear dishonors God. Doubt the Eternal, distrust the Omnipotent? O, traitorous
fear! Thinkest thou that the arm which piled the heavens, and sustains the pillars
of the earth shall ever be palsied? Shall the brow which eternal ages have
rolled over without scathing it, at last be furrowed by old age? What! Shall
the Eternal fail thee? Shall the faithful Promiser break his oath? Thou
dishonorest God, O unbelief! Get thee hence! God is too wise to err, too good
to be unkind; leave off doubting him, and begin to trust him, for in so doing,
thou wilt put a crown on his head, but in doubting him thou dost trample his
crown beneath thy feet.”
Faith
God operates on the basis of faith, not fear. Here is a definition of faith from two non-biblical sources from an earlier post (Read post "Faith What Is It? here):
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
- strong belief or trust in someone or something
- belief in the existence of God
- strong religious feelings or beliefs
- a system of religious beliefs
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology says that faith is:
Belief, trust, and loyalty to a person or thing. Christians find their security and hope in God as revealed in Jesus Christ, and say “amen” to that unique relationship to God in the Holy Spirit through love and obedience as expressed in lives of discipleship and service.
Fear and unbelief are tactics of our Satan, our mortal
enemy. We have the equipment to resist him and become the conquerors that we are as believers. "By Faith You Are More Than A Conqueror"
1 Peter 5:9 (NKJV) Resist him, steadfast in the faith,
knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the
world.
Ephesians 6:16 (NKJV) above all, taking the shield of faith with
which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
1 John 5:4-5 (NKJV) 4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory
that has overcome the world--our faith. 5
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the
Son of God?
This is what Jesus said to Martha when he visited her home
and Martha was distracted and anxious because of the actions of her sister, Mary;
Luke 10:40-42 (NKJV) 40
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and
said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
Therefore tell her to help me." 41
And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are
worried and troubled about many things. 42
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will
not be taken away from her."
Like Martha, the answer to our anxiety, fear and need for
order is to focus all our attention, thought and worship on Jesus. He is the
only one who provides lasting purpose to fulfill our deepest desires. He will always be with us:
Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right
hand.'
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) Be strong and of good courage, do
not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes
with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) 5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own
understanding; 6 In all your ways
acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Worry or fear or anxiety needs to be replaced with the filling
of the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and
of a sound mind.
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