Fear Freeing

Fear Freeing:

 

"Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalms 55:22)

 

"casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

 

There's a whole lot of disquieting troubles going on these days. It's very easy and common to become entangled in fear-knots. Yes these disturbing events are real as day, but our God is so much more than them. The certainty of our God's power, authority, and sovereignty must become a shield of comforting courage to each and every one of us, especially when all the world around us is in utter turmoil and upheaval.

 

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

 

The Amplified Bible translation adds this little gem, which I love:

 

"For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" (John 16:33)

 

Our great and mighty Lord, Jesus Christ, has stripped this world of its authority over us. He's conquered all the evil which encircles us.

 

Look around, can't you see all the troubling dismay? Can't you see the threatening afflictions at bay? But oh my dear friends, look UP!

 

Look up into the eyes of our Heavenly Father. Can't you see the loving affection in His eyes? Can't you see the glorious strength of His hands? His triumphant majesty and goodness far outweigh the world's empty, menacing intimidations.

 

Have NO fear. Fear is a ferocious enemy, and even at the first sign of its intrusion into our lives we must take valiant action. What must we do?

 

First of all, NEVER simply "cope" with your anxieties. Here's an easy way to remember coping's destructive motive: it's easy to lose your HOPE when you begin to COPE. Coping says, "It's okay that I'm paralysed by this fear, because if such and such ever did happen to me..." Coping condones! Coping condones fear's tyrannical terrorising grip on our lives.

 

Now we can truly understand the danger of allowing ourselves to cope with the fears that eat away at us. So now what? Well, as it is written in 1 Peter 5:7, CAST it off!

"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.]" (1 Peter 5:7)

As you can see again, the Amplified Bible translation goes a little more in depth here. You can also see where Psalms 55:22 is referenced (the very same verse I quoted at the beginning of this post as well).

I love how this verse reminds us that God cares for us watchfully. These words right here are a sure-fire way to put to rest any worries that may cause us to think we must allow ourselves to stay confined and imprisoned in the fear that chains us up and holds us hostage. Not only does God watch over us carefully and attentively, but He has also already victoriously conquered every fear trap that tries to constrain us. In other words, it's not only safe for us to step out of the chains, but He has already unlocked and swung open the prison doors for us! Hallelujah!

"Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you." (Galatians 5:1)

We are completely free from fear's suffocating stranglehold. Therefore, instead of simply coping with your fears, CONFRONT and CAST OFF those vile anxious thoughts onto the Lord God, who Himself has paid the unfathomable price for our freedom and shattered those petrifying prison walls! Amen! We are freed from these fears by the blood of the Lamb! Hallelu Yah! We shall forever sing our praises of thanks to God the Father!

-The Introverted Evangelist