DCFC Online August 1st - Fear is not your Friend - Ps Lynda Wanka

FEAR IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

Infinity example
 

What is fear?
NOUN
1. an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.
Sometimes there is a very valid reason to feel fear – about to stand on a snake,  cancer diagnosis, facing a very real enemy and your life is threatened , facing job loss & losing your home..  
False Evidence Appearing Real  - like my example of Infinity
 

Look at the story of Nehemiah ,   rebuilding the wall at Jerusalem, came under opposition and threats from the enemy, Sanballat, tried to intimidate ..  
Nehemiah 4:14
14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”
Neh 6:8  nothing like what you are saying is happening – you are just making it up in your head
The antidote for fear – trust
In our society, fear, worry & anxiety are at an all time high!
There’s a reason God tells is more than 300  times to “Fear not!!”

1) ‘The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.’  (Nahum 1:7)
(2) ‘You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!’ (Isaiah 26:3 NLT) 
(3) ‘As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.’ (2 Samuel 22:31 NKJV) 
(4) ‘How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world.’ (Psalm 31:19 NLT)
What are we afraid of?
The future – if we listen to the news, commentators etc – climate etc, change, calling good evil and evil good, where’s it all going to end up?
Failure -  what if I get it wrong, stop is from stepping out where God has called us in case….., rejection, other people’s opinion, vulnerability, being hurt, not being liked, success, not being good enough,  heights, water, not having what it takes to make it – whatever “it” may be, being shamed, yelled at, left out..  missing out,  embarrassed, ridiculed, exposed, unknown, people who are different to me….
Fear and anxiety can be handed down….
Stress = fear
Avoidance is not the answer – face the fear  2 questions to ask ourselves - what’s my self-talk,  what’s God say about this?,
To break that down a bit – what do I do?
1. Acknowledge it.  Think about it. Some fear is normal – but if it is directing your life, it’s time to face it and renew the mind to line up with God’s word. When the list of places or activities etc increases to the point of being restricted, it’s time to realise that fear and anxiety are not your friend, they are not “keeping you safe”, in fact, they are bullying you.  A good question to ask: What would my life look like if I was free from these fears?  What’s my self-talk, or thoughts here? Anxiety and worry keep me safe, by worrying I will be prepared for anything.  Afraid to speak up because of what people will think, or they may disagree?
  
2. Side with the truth – not the feeling. Any fear I indulge in, grows.  Just feeling anxious/fearful does not automatically mean I’m in danger. Don’t feed it. Find the truth – God’s Word on the matter and agree with it Philippians 4:6-7 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Philippians 4:13 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength. Romans 8:31 Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 2 Timothy 1:7 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.    

 As we mediate on and speak out and trust in His word, Truth can overcome fear. 

3. Praise, worship, pray
Psalm 34
A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away.
1 I will praise the LORD at all times.
    I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the LORD;
    let all who are helpless take heart.

It’s an act of your will, stirs emotions, contagious
Hebrews 4:16 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.-  PRAY-  talk to God
Psalm 125:1
A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
1 Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
    they will not be defeated but will endure forever.
Talk to someone about it – what’s kept in the dark, the enemy will use. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQTnREEtuNk
Lyrics
When he told you you're not good enough
When he told you you're not right
When he told you you're not strong enough
To put up a good fight
When he told you you're not worthy
When he told you you're not loved
When he told you you're not beautiful
You'll never be enough
Fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear, he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
'Cause fear, he is a liar
When he told you were troubled
You'll forever be alone
When he told you you should run away
You'll never find a home
When he told you you were dirty
And you should be ashamed
When he told you you could be the one
That grace could never change
Oh, fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear, he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
'Cause fear, he is a liar
Let your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let your fire fall, your love is all I feel
Let your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let your fire fall, your love is all I feel
Let your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let your fire fall, your love is all I feel
Oh, let your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let your fire fall, your love is all I feel
Oh, fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear, he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
'Cause fear, he is a liar
'Cause fear, he is a liar