Fear and the Christian Journey

[Not_Now.Soon]

Psalms 27:1 says the Lord is my light, my salvation, and stronghold. And with that context it asks who should I fear. Romans 8:31 Paul encourages those he wrote to saying if God is with us, who can be against us. Psalms 23 sings about God being our Shepard to care for us. Even so much that Psalms 23:4 reads that even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil; for God is with me. And yet another verse. Isaiah 40:31 says those who hope on the Lord will renew their strength, soar like on eagles wings, run and not grow weary, and will walk and not grow faint.


These are just a few verses that tell the truth that with God with us, we should fear nothing. And others suggest something simular, only to fear God and fear nothing besides Him. However, I wanted to start this thread with hopes that we can share the fears we hold onto, and strengthen eachother up as these verses and many others have strengthened me up. To break the ice I'll share a few of my own fears in the next comment.

 

[Eugene]

To break the ice I'll share a few of my own fears in the next comment.

So what are you afraid of; I've been waiting here for one minute.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

For me I fear failure. It's a fear that I don't know how to overcome, and it has kept me from from trying new things, learning new things, and and going through that tough phase of at first not being good at it. I think it's a social fear though more then not, because it comes out when I am around other people but not as much when I am alone. It's also a fear on my capabibalities, that I can't become good at something so let someone else who can do it. The fear of failure, not being good at something, or not being good enough are all tied together for me.

I am also hesitant to talk about my faith, my hope in God, and what little understanding I have from life and the bible that relates to being a Christian, when I talk to people who might not be Christian. The hesitation is more out of fear of saying the wrong thing and pushing them farther away from God. By the time I would get my words in order, the opportunity has come and left.

I am afraid of losing everything. From family, friends, work, God, even to losing my wife. If I have been a failure in three major areas of life, then why not be a failure at all things in life. This fear held me very strongly a few years ago, and has grown smaller since then.

These are some of my fears, the bigger ones that I am aware of. If you have any of your own, or have any thoughts or advise to rise above them please share.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

So what are you afraid of; I've been waiting here for one minute.

HA!

 

[Eugene]

I fear failure. It's a fear that I don't know how to overcome, and it has kept me from from trying new things, learning new things, and and going through that tough phase of at first not being good at it. I think it's a social fear though more then not, because it comes out when I am around other people but not as much when I am alone. It's also a fear on my capabibalities, that I can't become good at something so let someone else who can do it. The fear of failure, not being good at something, or not being good enough are all tied together for me.

Have you ever considered that the things you consider fear may be common sense? Has God given you the physical gifts to become the world's best MMA fighter, the best ballerina, have the greatest voice; it may be the spiritual gift of discernment you possess.
As to spiritual gifts, there are many attempting to preach while they only possess the gifts of helps. I would say to not be afraid of going with what God has given you, be satisfied with it in peace and thanksgiving, and trust Him to make it all work for your good. (Rom 8:28)
As God's work in progress (Eph 2:10) He puts us in the body as He sees fit for the work to be done. I do not know what tomorrow will bring, but I've learned to trust God's purpose in my life to deliver me over and over, and He has never failed me yet. I would just recommend loving God and letting Him do that to me which He feels is the path of righteousness for me.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Have you ever considered that the things you consider fear may be common sense? Has God given you the physical gifts to become the world's best MMA fighter, the best ballerina, have the greatest voice; it may be the spiritual gift of discernment you possess.
As to spiritual gifts, there are many attempting to preach while they only possess the gifts of helps. I would say to not be afraid of going with what God has given you, be satisfied with it in peace and thanksgiving, and trust Him to make it all work for your good. (Rom 8:28)
As God's work in progress (Eph 2:10) He puts us in the body as He sees fit for the work to be done. I do not know what tomorrow will bring, but I've learned to trust God's purpose in my life to deliver me over and over, and He has never failed me yet. I would just recommend loving God and letting Him do that to me which He feels is the path of righteousness for me.

Thank you for the encouragement, Eugene. With regard to the spiritual gifts, that might be right on, I'll have to give it some thought. God has given me a good sense in reason, grasping differing rationelle, and a bit of solid ground to start with for faith. From both experience and a growing understanding of faith and scripture. Maybe it's for my benifit and strength or only mine and encouraging others in their faith, but it seems like Gid gave me these wonderful attributes and I'm hiding them instead of sharing them. After all Jesus and the prophets spoke to anyone, and some believed and some didn't. My intuition pulls me to do more, and not be concerned by the success rate. (Of course only after the fact does it do this. HA.)

As to the fears being the gift of discernment, that's possible I suppose. I don't think that's right in my sitution though. It's kind of like having a discernment and respect for snakes, verses having a phobia of snakes. Or having a few habits and quirks verses having OCD that stops everyday activity. The measure of the reaction sort of thing.

Thank you for the reminder of being a work in progress. I really appreaciate the encouragement.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

So what are you afraid of; I've been waiting here for one minute.

How 'bout you though? Any fears or stumbling blocks of anxiety that you've noticed in your walk?

 

[smaller]

The is a spiritually "healthy" fear of God. It is "rightful" fear, and well based in scripture.

Paul for example, speaks of this here:

2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

It is fear of the Lord that causes us to stop lying to God in Christ.

Paul "persuaded" me into seeing myself, as he saw himself. And yes, THAT did scare me and bring this "fear."

How so? Paul had "evil present" with him. Romans 7:21. We should understand that God in Christ can and DOES deal adversely with that portion of our construction. I do not extend this "fear" to "loss of salvation" but I am vividly cognizant of not having 'my own' superior hand in this matter, other than being forced into honesty about it. It's also known as an "evil conscience" and we all have one to deal with. Those who say they don't have this internal reality to "deal with" are not cognizant of spiritual reality. Hebrews 10:22 speaks of the same matter. So does Hebrews 5:14. It is probably one of the last "walls" to scale about ourselves. And it's a high wall to climb over. Most are engaged only on the rosy side of the scenarios of faith. That is never the whole story.

Over a lifttime of faith, one will, sooner or later, come to understand that the 'source' of our chastisements are bound within us in the form of "evil present" just as it was with Paul.

Paul delivers what I call the "honest conscience" test about this principle in Romans 7:7-13, and just totally disrobes himself of dishonesty in that sight, and strips bare, his own conscience, before God in Christ.

It was the opening of Paul's heart, and what we find therein isn't all that pretty.

"But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence"

Paul was NOT a liar. Which is why I followed him down this trail. Because I knew early on in my faith, that after I had rubbed out everything I could find on the outside of the cup, that the problem is on the inside of the cup.

It is here, that we locate the need for Divine Mercy, because it is sorely needed.

 

[Edward]

When there is something important in scriptures, I've noticed that it will be repeated in scripture somewhere. This clues us in to take note because its important.

When I realized that, I got curious. What is the most often repeated phrase in scripture? It turns out that fear not or the equivalent is the most repeated phrase in the entire bible!!

So we shouldn't fear anything in this world, only GOD Himself.

I'm working this into my heart over time. I still fear at times (nothing in particular) but at these times, I remind myself that, ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...and He will never leave or forsake me...these things must be for now...and to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world...

So since He has put me in this particular (fearful) situation, that it is probably to teach me something, and I immediately feel better...

 

[realchild]

Psalms 27:1 says the Lord is my light, my salvation, and stronghold. And with that context it asks who should I fear. Romans 8:31 Paul encourages those he wrote to saying if God is with us, who can be against us. Psalms 23 sings about God being our Shepard to care for us. Even so much that Psalms 23:4 reads that even though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil; for God is with me. And yet another verse. Isaiah 40:31 says those who hope on the Lord will renew their strength, soar like on eagles wings, run and not grow weary, and will walk and not grow faint.


These are just a few verses that tell the truth that with God with us, we should fear nothing. And others suggest something simular, only to fear God and fear nothing besides Him. However, I wanted to start this thread with hopes that we can share the fears we hold onto, and strengthen eachother up as these verses and many others have strengthened me up. To break the ice I'll share a few of my own fears in the next comment.

Why does it say that you think?

 

[KevinK]

I fear only he who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

 

[realchild]

I fear only he who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

For real, how does that help you?

 

[KevinK]

For real, how does that help you?

Not sure what you mean by "help"?

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I fear only he who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

That's pretty awesome.

 

[realchild]

Not sure what you mean by "help"?

Like, explain to me what I does to you when you fear God.

I mean from your point of view.

 

[KevinK]

Like, explain to me what I does to you when you fear God.

I mean from your point of view.

Well, the quote I gave, to me, indicates a fear of Satan and/or his demons. They can drag a person down into Hell, thus destroying both the physical body and far worse, the immortal soul. That's something to be afraid of.

 

[realchild]

Well, the quote I gave, to me, indicates a fear of Satan and/or his demons. They can drag a person down into Hell, thus destroying both the physical body and far worse, the immortal soul. That's something to be afraid of.

I don't think I have heard that Idea before, quite interesting.

Please tell me more if you know more.

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

Well, the quote I gave, to me, indicates a fear of Satan and/or his demons. They can drag a person down into Hell, thus destroying both the physical body and far worse, the immortal soul. That's something to be afraid of.

I always thought it was the opposite. Fear God, because He has the authority over our souls. People, harsh situtions, even Satan himself can not do that. That's why I thought it was pretty awesome. It's something that I need to work on to achieve. Only be concerned about God, and fear nothing else.

 

[KevinK]

I don't think I have heard that Idea before, quite interesting.

Please tell me more if you know more.

Death of the physical body is nothing. Just a transition to the afterlife. Physical life is maybe 100 years. The afterlife is forever.

Death of the soul is going to Hell. Tortured by demons, or fire. Then the Second Death, when all of Hell is dumped into the Lake of Fire (nicknamed "Gehenna"). “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14

 

[KevinK]

I always thought it was the opposite. Fear God, because He has the authority over our souls. People, harsh situtions, even Satan himself can not do that. That's why I thought it was pretty awesome. It's something that ?I need to work on to achieve. Only be concerned about God, and fear nothing else.

I fear God also.