Replacing Fear with Truth--Day 57 Through the Bible

                         Wiseman's View in nearby Avery County overlooks Linville Gorge and its rugged terrain. 

                                                                           The views are spectacular any time of year, 

                                                   however, the rock formations are more visible when the leaves are off.

February 26

Dr. Stanley makes a statement in today’s study that, to me, is a matter of life or death, peace or torment. It relates to Mark 5:36, where Jesus said, “Do not be afraid, only believe”. Dr. Stanley comments on this passage by saying, “Regardless of our circumstances, God always urges us on to faith and away from fear”.  I want to post this in a prominent place—maybe several prominent places, so that I can be reminded of this truth throughout the day.

I find that I have fearful thoughts on a regular basis. This leads to worry and is also a concern in light of Revelation 21:8, which says the fearful shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are admonished: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”.

What do I do when these thoughts come to mind? Do I address them—do I even recognize them? (The first step in problem solving is to acknowledge the problem.) And, am I aware of their origin? There’s not time here to go into depth on the subject of “fear”. However, its not difficult to pinpoint its source. I John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love”. God is love (I John 4:8), therefore, God cannot be the author of fear. And, 2 Timothy 1:7 leaves no doubt about it: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”. (This would be good to post also.) God does not intend that as believers we are to be tormented by fear.

God wants us to trust Him and rest in His love (Psalm 23 testifies to that.) It is so natural for us to fear. Yet, the truth is that we are a new creation in Christ—2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”.  Fear paralyzes us. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We cannot accomplish what God has planned for us to do if we allow fear to paralyze us.

What if the woman in Mark had been too afraid to even touch Jesus’ garment? Maybe she was too afraid to ask Him for healing—she had evidently put much thought into how she was going to approach Jesus. Touching His garment may have been a way around her fear. We don’t know this for sure.  However, when Jesus asked who touched Him, the woman was “fearing and trembling” (Mark 5:33). How wonderful for her that she was able to push past her fear and receive healing.

I have a friend who shared with me a tool God has given her for dealing with fearful, or other negative thoughts. When she has a thought that troubles her, she writes it down in a little notebook she keeps for this purpose. She then looks for a scripture that tells the truth about the thought and writes the scripture in her notebook along with the thought. In doing this, she has (1) recognized that the thought is a problem, and (2) she has discovered what God says about it. Psalm 91:4, says, “His truth shall be your shield”, and Jesus says the truth will make us free (John 8:32).

Jairus’ daughter was dead by the time Jesus arrived. However, there is a truth that even supersedes death. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). When we are fearful, we need the Truth! This is awesome! Jesus told the mourners of the little girl the truth—she was not “dead” (without life)—the Life was standing close by, waiting to resurrect her!

Is it any wonder we are encouraged in Psalm 27:14, to “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He will strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord”. The woman in Mark had suffered many things at the hands of the physicians and was no better. If we trust in the solutions the world offers, we will also find ourselves “no better, but rather (growing) worse”.

Proverbs 10:14, tells us that: “Wise people store up knowledge”. My friend with her little notebook is evidently a wise person. She stores up knowledge of the truth when assailed by wrong thoughts. I must go now—as I have lots to do. I need to make some cards that say, “God always urges us on to faith and away from fear”. I also need to start my notebook. I hope you have also been inspired to take steps that will help you move toward  faith and away from fear!