Victory Over Fear!
"I do not fear, for God has redeemed me and called me by name - I am His" Isaiah 43:1
We are living in a day where fear is gripping the hearts and minds of people. Fear of the economic crisis, job loss, war, natural disasters, just to name a few. These are all things that seem to be happening today, and Jesus said they would be happening in the last days. We don't need to be surprised. When the world is afraid, God's going to give us supernatural peace. When we're tempted to be afraid, we need to trust. And when we learn to trust, great things are going to happen in our lives.
Isaiah 12:1-2 says, "And in that day you will say O LORD, I will praise You; for though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation! I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation."
God is not mad at you. He's mad about you. God put His anger upon Jesus, and Jesus nailed it to the cross. Then God gave us His Holy Spirit to comfort us, encourage us and strengthen us in difficult times.
Every one of us is challenged or tempted to fear. Fear comes from not knowing who to trust, not knowing what's going to happen, whether you're going to be taken care of or not. You need to know God will take care of you because you're His. You belong to God. How does someone belong to someone else? Somebody has to pay in order to own something, and God paid with the blood of Jesus so He could own you and I. And it's good for Him to own us, because He takes care of the things He owns. You're never going to find God in a dirty heaven. You're never going to find God in a car with Whopper wrappers in the back seat. God takes care of everything He has and you're one of the things that He has.
There are some things that we may not fully understand in this life, but I will trust and not be afraid. Even if you've read and studied the Word, not every question is going to be answered in this life. Most questions can be. But when you ask why did this tragedy happen or that, you need to understand that God is not the author of evil. The simple answer is the devil is the author. And, really, the number one way the devil gets in our life is through fear. And by taking the position as in Isaiah 12:1-2, I will trust and not be afraid… the way he gives us to be free from fear in this verse is by trusting God. Yes, in all your getting, get understanding. Pursue understanding, but in your pursuit of wisdom, if you're missing something, trust God.
What does the word "trust" mean?
This word "trust" means to be without care; to be secure, safe, sure and to have a refuge. The word, "secure" comes from a word that means without care. When you trust Him, it means to be without care, to cast your cares on Him. If you're a fisherman you can't cast your line a foot or two in front of you. So to cast your cares on the Lord, it means throwing them far from you. You do this by making a decision to trust. It's not a feeling. It's a decision. Then make a declaration. It's a statement of faith. When you're confused, declare "I will trust." When it seems like all the odds are against you, a decision plus a declaration equals deliverance. I will trust and not be afraid. One is the cause of the other. As a consequence of trusting, you will not be afraid.
II Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." These are the three things we overcome fear with: power, love, and a sound mind."
Power overcomes fear because, when you know you have the power to change something –you don't have to be afraid of the way that thing is. Love overcomes fear because perfect love casts out fear.
A sound mind overcomes fear because fear is always a result of thinking something other than what God says. So when you're thinking what God says, all fear will have to leave your life. There's no way that fear can stay in your heart or in your life when your thinking is lined up with God's Word.
Since fear is the number one way the devil gains access to our lives, we need to get rid of it! People steal and cheat because they fear. They lie because they fear the truth won't be enough. They gossip for the fear of being left out. Let me give you the simple steps to breaking out of the cycle of fear:
1. Confess your fear to God.
Fear is sin. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
2. You have to seek Him.
Psalm 34:4 says, "Seek Him while He may be found." Hebrews 11:6 says, "Believe He is a rewarder of Him who diligently seeks Him." Spend time with Him – fellowship with Him. He's a rewarder – when you believe that, you'll be rid of fear.
3. Confess the Word.
Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day the Lord has made." Confess it many times daily - "God never made anything bad. Therefore I expect this day to be a great day. I will be glad in it."
4. Break free from worry.
I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me (Phil 4:13), but "without Him I can do nothing" (John 15:5). Worry is a subtracting force that will drain you. Which of you can add a single cubit to your life by worrying? Attack worry as a thought that contradicts the Word of God.
Confess these scriptures to attack fear and worry:
Philippians 4:6-8 "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. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the mind that is stayed on you, because he trusts in You."
Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
Hebrews 13:5 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
I Peter 5:7 "Casting all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you."
Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who is against us?"
Galatians 3:13 says you're redeemed from the curse. Fear and torment are part of the curse. Therefore, you're redeemed from fear!
You're free from fear!
Confess Psalm 118 and Philippians chapters 3 and 4 every day. God's Word will give you a new hope and change your life forever!
