FEAR: A HITCH OF DISBELIEF IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN

Have you always been in a state of distress? Are you a regular victim of shocking events? What has made your mind burgle? Is your heart always troubled? Do little things make you loose your faith? Can a sudden dream or nightmare enslave your trust in God?

All these are aspects of a fearful mind. 

Fear is fearful itself. Fear is terrifying. Fear is mind-burgling. Fear is instability of the mind. Fear is a preemptive suspicion either true or false that something bad is about to happen. Fear as a state is a “bondage keeper”.  It holds you hostage and keeps you void of all normal activity and takes your mind off the good things you should see.

A state of fear keeps your mind at unrest. It triggers the part of the brain that alerts danger. The one funny thing about fear is that, it is your imaginative expectation; it doesn’t necessarily mean what you envisage will actually happen.

As Christians, it is disbelieving to be afraid. It is an infringement on the rights to “believe” that there is God. Disbelieving because you don’t have that faith, disbelieving because you don’t stretch or exercise your religious belief towards your maker.

Fear gives you the opportunity to exhibit doubt in God. 

A fearful Christian is a ‘bondage-ridden’ christian. Biblically, (1 Samuel 17: 1-11); God promised the Children of Israel that they will defeat the Philistines but because of fear, they were doubtful and paralyzed. In this case, God knew what the outcome will be, he decided to send David; if not the whole Israel would have fled the battle ground out of fear. 

We also saw the instance of Peter. He desired to join Jesus to walk on the water. He saw Jesus walking on the surface of the water, he decided to follow suit so he can come over to HIS side. In the long run, while walking, his faith left him out of fear and he saw that he was actually in the middle of the sea. He stopped and began to drown.

It might interest you to know that the word “Fear Not” is the highest recorded word used in the Bible (365) times, more so, if you wish to use one each day it can serve for the whole year. 

Fear is an illusion that something exist or is about to happen. This illusion starts from the mind. It creates a scene in your mind and gives you a perfect picture of what might likely happen. Inculcating fear in your mind gives power to what you are afraid of. 

What are the common causes of fear:

1. Painful memories of traumatic experiences.
2. Guilt (both real and imagined).
3. Generational Curses.
4. Attacks from the enemy.
5. Misunderstandings about God.
6. Occult involvement.

Some negative effects of fear

Stress

A fearful person go through stress of the mind. The energy at which you exert in being afraid of something leaves you nothing but everlasting stress. This is because it is an anomaly, it actually triggers the danger alert in the brain and as long as the fear last, that part of the brain will keep on working at every second. 

Strength to subject of fear.

Whatever you are afraid of gains more power over you so long as you continue cultivating the portion of fear in your mind. The subject, which makes you afraid, keeps you in a state of unrest, and an overtly careful chains.

It was recorded in the Bible that When Peter saw that Jesus had walked on the sea unto the other side, he tried to do as his Master had done, with great courage he stepped out of the boat into the sea but in the long run, he lost his faith and fear gripped him, then he saw that he was beginning to drown irrespective that Jesus told him to "fear not' and summon the courage to walk towards Him.

As in the case of Job. See (Job 3:25-26)

Appearing Stupid

Fear makes one look stupid. The thought of fearful events or imaginative happening will not only make you look curious and fidgety at all times but will also take away the natural and relaxed look you ought to portray. A fearful person has this dreadful expectation that only him sees thereby keeping his mind in a state of code red.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Busy unnecessarily.

The mind, brain and every other part of your body becomes involuntarily busy. The pulse rate of your heartbeat changes because you are waiting for something that is either not going to happen or will not happen in totality. 

There’s this funny fact about the human body been in fear, it makes you want to be cautious of your environment. It drags your attention to every detail of every muscle movement; your head rotates at every second. In such case, you tend to sweat profusely.

“A guilty conscience fears no accusation”.

Biblically, ‘A clean and righteous heart is always peaceful’.

Worry and anxiety are all-too common in our hurried, stressful, unpredictable lives. For some, anxiety is an infrequent occurrence; for others, it’s a constant, distressing companion. Most of us fall somewhere in between. But God wants something better for us.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7)

Fear makes you a victim

Victimization to what you are afraid of is the end product of fear. Most times these unforeseen circumstances, happenings, illusion become reality because your fear has given power to it.  (Job 3:25)

Fear kills faster than any sickness or disease. If we have the spirit of Christ in us then we have no reason to be afraid, whatever the circumstances. When faced with challenging times and turbulent situations, we should recall the promises of God and regain stability.  (1 John 4:4)

Others are:

1. Fear immobilizes.
2. Fear leads us to sin.
3. Fear causes various physical problems.
4. Fear opens the door for the work of the devil.
5. Fear brings confusion.
6. Fear causes us to hide.
7. Fear causes us to abandon our love for others.
8. Fear keeps us from serving God.
9. Fear causes us to flee when we should stand.

Re-affirm your faith and let go of your fear with these scriptural pacifiers.

1. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7). God invites you to come to Him with all your concerns and needs; He longs to help you find positive solutions to your problems.

2. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). It’s no ordinary peace Jesus offers you, but a powerful peace that works to eclipse your fear and anxiety.

3. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5, 6). If you’re anxious over choices you must make, put your entire faith in the God of your life and He will steer you in the right direction.

4. “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). God wants you to lean on Him for support; He will carry all your burdens and keep you from slipping.

5. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). God will drive out your anxious thoughts and fill your heart and mind with peace when you focus on Him.

6. “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). A lack of proper rest only increases anxiety; trust your problems to the Lord and go to sleep knowing He is watching over you.

7. “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” (Isaiah 41:10). It’s safe to release all your fears and worries into God’s capable hands, knowing that He is right beside you, holding you up and providing the help and strength you need each day.

8. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Worrying over material needs is a waste of energy; our all-powerful God owns the entire universe and will take care of you—His precious child!

How to overcome fear

1. Resolve guilt.
2. Die to self.
3. Look beyond the storm to see Jesus.
4. Choose to trust in God.
5. Understand the grace of God.
6. Engraft God's Word into your soul.
7. Use praise as a spiritual weapon.
8. Use positive confessions of faith.
9. Acknowledge God's Presence in your life.
10. Receive healing for emotional wounds.
11. Bind and cast out the enemy from your life.
12. Close the door to the enemy.
13. Break generational curses over your life.
14. Receive the power of God in your life.
15. Overcome the fear of failure.
16. Submit yourself to God and resist the devil.

By Pastor Ope Kayode-Crown, Founder Youth World Foundation 

E-book: Dare to Remain a Virgin until Marriage by Ope Kayode-Crown: Get your copy now on Amazon: https://t.co/c1EJeNPEjH pic.twitter.com/hDXAnM7pi2

— Ope Kayode Crown (@opekayodecrown) December 22, 2016

See also: Masturbation: The endearing life of a youth

Tags: Religion, Christ, Christian 

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