The Right Spirit (12/27/10)

Shalom,

 

    Please begin by reading 2 Tim 1:7.

 

    It's amazing how many things people are afraid of.  I went on-line to find a list of phobias.  It was huge.  I can't imagine that people would actually fear some of these things, but clinical psychologists have found things like this:

    Ablutophobia - fear of washing or bathing.  I know some children who act like they fear this.

    Belenophobia - fear of pins and needles.  I know people who don't like getting shots at the doctor's office.

    Chionophobia - fear of snow.  I know many people who have a definite dislike of it.

    Didaskaleinophobia - fear of school.  Again I could name some children who act this way.

    Lutraphobia - fear of otters.  Now this is defnitely an odd one, and I can't believe it could be very widespread.

    Phobophobia - fear of phobias.  Now we're getting really wierd.

    Eleuthorophobia - fear of freedom.  Some people just want defnite limits and boundaries to the extreme.

    Hypegiaphobia - fear of responsibility.  I've definitely run into people who acted this way.

    Neophobia - fear of anything new.  This must connect to our common dislike of change.

    Peccatophobia - fear of sinning.  This should be stronger than I find it to be in most people.

    Stygiophobia - fear of hell.  I would certainly hope this would be a problem for many.

    Ouranophobia - fear of heaven.  I don't understand how you can be afraid of heaven.

 

    We all face situations and issues where we feel timid or fearful.  What causes this sensation within us is different for everyone.  What we need to learn and understand is that Yahweh never puts fear on us, at least not the kind that weakens and hinders us.  Our heavenly Father provides power, love, and a sound mind.

    The devil wants us to be terrified, to be afraid of all the things that can go wrong in our world.  If we walk around worrying about what can go wrong, we end up being confused and afraid to act.  We limit our ability to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and receive his guidance.  Yahweh has been at war with the ultimate terrorist since the Fall of Adam and Eve.  1 Pet 5:8 says Satan goes "around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  A lion roars to terrorize its prey and throw them into confusion, causing them to run.  Then he picks of the weak, those straggling behind.  But we need to be reminded that Satan is only "like" a roaring lion.  He can only devour people who gives themselves over to him.

    Modern day terrorists use fear as a terrible weapon.  When they attack fears come with horrific, paralyzing, and shocking effect.  People walk around stunned and unable to think straight after terrorists attack.  Of course we don't really need the terrorists help to feel afraid.  Many people struggle with worry or stress or that underlying sense of anxiety and dread about all the "what if's" in life.  Many people are so fearful they don't act in ways that are beneficial to themselves and those around them.  They fear what can go wrong instead of looking for what can go right, and thereby limit and hinder themselves from being truly helpful.

    As Christians we're supposed to look at the future with optimism and hope.  If we're not doing that, the devil is robbing us of the joy of our Lord.  Worries and anxieties often steal the peace that's freely offered to us by our Lord Jesus.  We're not talking about healthy fear which works to keep us safe, but unhealthy torment that only works negatively.  If we have confidence in our Lord God Almighty to "work all things for our good" (Rom 8:28), then we should be able to overcome the things which keep us from acting bravely for our Lord.

 

    If your life is more stressful and worrisome than Yahweh wants it to be, there is real help.  He wants to take away the negative influences which induce fear and replace them with precious gifts.  First, he offers us power.  This is strength to overcome our fears.  It's the word dunamis, which means supernatural ability and power.  To help us understand how strong a word it is know that it's the root of dynamite in English.  Yahweh gives us the power fo dynamite when we work for him and his purposes.

    When we're doing our Lord and Master's work, proclaiming his Word and representing his Kingdom - we have his power backing us.  This isn't power to increase our status, but to increase his glory.  When we're on an asignment for our Sovereign Lord God Almighty, we're completely safe in his hands.  Luke 10:19 says, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you."  What we need to trust in is that none of these things can harm our eternal soul.  Our eternal lives are completely safe in the hands of our loving Father as we do his work.

    If we trust in our Lord to take care of us, we'll be more bold and brave working for his Kingdom and his purpose.  Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought Yahweh, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."  If he did this for David, he'll certainly do it for us.  Whenever we feel afraid we can run to Yahweh for protection and an infusion of courage.  We all need this boost from time to time.  And the more we trust him in tough situations, the more confidence we'll ahve the next time we face one.

 

    The second thing offered to us is love.  1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear."  How does love counteract fear in our lives?  When we know that the Almighty Creator of the Universe loves us and is seeking to do what's best for us, we have an assurance of his loving-kindness.  He relieves our fear by showing us how much he cares for us.  We don't have to overcome the hate thrown at us by the devil and his world system.  We have Yahweh's wonderful love to lift us above all that.

    The basis for most fear is self-preservation.  Yahweh has blessed us with the mental and physical mechanisms to help our self-preservation - like adrenaline and our conscience.  But when we become obsessed with self we become vulnerable to all kinds of unhealthy fears.  When our focus is no longer on Yahweh, we're reliant on our personal ability to protect ourselves.  When we encounter dangerous situations our physical body is boosted by the flow of adrenaline which increases our strength, and mostly our ability to flee and avoid danger.  When we trust in our conscious to help us discern right from wrong, Yahweh's influence helps us choose the path of safety.  When we get caught up in worldly fears, these benefits are lessened and we struggle in areas we shouldn't.

    We need to spend more time trusting in what our Lord has provided and less in our personal ability to protect ourselves or to find some other means of protection.  That's why we need his love.  When love dominates and motivates our lives fear is removed.  Instead of being overly focused on how every little detail affects us, we gain a broader perspective, a heavenly vision.  When we focus on pleasing Yahweh, our survival and protection is in his hands.  We remove the stress of being responsible for our safety and place ourselves securely in our loving Father's hands.

 

    The third thing made available to us is self-discipline or a sound mind.  The literal translation of the Greek is safe thinking.  It points toward sound judgment, disciplined thought patterns, the ability to make right decisions.  It contrasts with our dangerous humanistic thinking, the kind where we don't consider our Creator's guidance as valid or important.  When we're thinking safely or rightly, we keep the world in right perspective and fear won't dominate our lives.  He wants us to have a calm and self-controlled mind instead of giving into the panic and confusion caused by our fear-inducing world.  Our Father wants to bless us with his amazing peace.

    If our decisions are all guided by the Holy Spirit's advice, we won't be so worried about what might go wrong.  If we think about pure and right things instead of the corrupted garbage offered by our world, we can stand secure while others give in to stress and fear.  When we focus our thoughts on Yahweh and his right and good and just ways of dealing with us, we can be more self-disciplined and avoid things which could draw us away from his security.  When our thoughts are disciplined our ability to make right choices improves greatly, and we avoid getting caught up in issues which cause us grief.  The sound mind our Lord gives us is part of his great peace freely given to us for our good.

    If we're using safe thinking, we'll have sound judgment because of our Lord's influence.  His advice will matter to us and we'll be greatly helped in all our choices.  Yahweh wants to help us make wise choices every time.  He wants us to be wary of the devil and his schemes.  He's trying heard to help us avoid trouble and pain.  We all need our Creator's help to navigate this world safely and securely.  The sound judgment we gain through our trust in him is an amazing and great gift.

 

    Something we need to remember is that we don't need to accept what doesn't come from Yahweh's hand.  We don't have to walk in a spirit of fear.  We can humbly receive and walk in his power, his love, and have his ever-ready help in making sound judgments.  Anybody have a good reason to reject this offer?  Anybody feel they can do better on their own?  Unfortunately many people do.  Don't be one of them. Allow your loving heavenly Father to work his blessings in you.  Allow him to minister to your heart and mind with his astounding peace.  Let him remove your fear and replace it with confidence in his ability to inspire and empower you to do Kingdom work.

    Fear and timidity will keep us from using Yahweh's gifts and we won't fulfill his purpose for our lives.  Yahweh's gifts are for much more than helping us make money or be entertained or be comfortable.  He wants us to use his gifts to touch people with his grace and help those in need.  Don't act cowardly, be brave and bold because your Lord offers strength to help us do his work.  Take his power and love and safe thinking with you wherever you go.  Help others overcome fear by showing forth your Lord's precious gifts of grace.

    Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."  We Christians can do even better than that.  Walking in the power, love, and safe thinking Yahweh provides for us takes us even further.  We can say, "We have nothing to fear but Yahweh."  Be overcomers.  Fight off your doubts and fears and let the Holy Spirit guide you to magnificent spiritual victories.

 

    Blessings & Peace,    Mike