August 26, 2020
Have you ever been afraid? I mean really afraid. If you have what happened? Did you lose hope? Did you think you’d never stop being afraid? Why do you think that was the case? Have you emerged from that time of fear? How did it end? Were you able to get rid of your fear on your own? These are good questions I have struggled with over time. I found answers on how to get rid of my fear. Would you like to know the answers I found?
It became clear to me that every time I left home, or my wife left home, as she struggled with her mental health and suicidal ideations, that I might never see her alive again. I was afraid. I tried to conquer my fear by saying it was irrational and I was just making up the possible outcome. I tried to think more positively. I tried to stop worrying on my own—I was not successful. I felt hopeless. I finally in my stubbornness turned to the Bible to see if I could find answers.
Jesus said in Mathew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (ESV) It seems to me, there is less to fear about your current situation then there is to fear about our eternal situation. Also, there is nothing bad that man can do to us that compares to the eternal consequences of not knowing Jesus. It is up to us to make the choice.
I also found that Paul had a similar perspective. Philippians1 18b-21 says, “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (ESV) I would encourage you to seek the help of the Holy Spirit and experience his perspective. I have tried on my own and have been unsuccessful but when I allow the Holy Spirit to work in me, my perspective has been more like Paul’s.
Finally, I have found how important it is for me to lean into and receive God’s love for me! When I do, the fear goes away. I believe this is because as John says in 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” (ESV) Pursue a relationship with God through His Son Jesus and His perfect love will cast out your fear and bring you hope. Find out how to know Jesus.
If you have not read my previous blogs you can find them here.
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazonor Google
