Someone said, “If we live in fear, we create the very thing we are afraid of.” How true that rings through the annals of time.

 

History shows us the evidence of the consequences of fear. Countless millions have suffered a lifetime due to living in fear. 

 

“Fear is a powerful and primitive human emotion. It alerts us to the presence of danger, and it was critical in keeping our ancestors alive. Fear can be divided into two responses: biochemical and emotional. The biochemical response is universal, while the emotional response is highly individual.

 

Biochemical Reaction

Fear is a natural emotion and a survival mechanism. When we confront a perceived threat, our bodies respond in specific ways. Physical reactions to fear include sweating, increased heart rate, and high adrenaline levels that make us extremely alert.

 

This physical response is also known as the “fight or flight” response, in which your body prepares itself to either enter combat or run away. This biochemical reaction is likely an evolutionary development. It's an automatic response that is crucial to our survival.

 

Emotional Response

The emotional response to fear is highly personalized. Because fear involves some of the same chemical reactions in our brains that positive emotions like happiness and excitement do, feeling fear under certain circumstances can be seen as fun, like when you watch scary movies.

 

Some people are adrenaline junkies, thriving on extreme sports and other fear-inducing thrill situations. Others have a negative reaction to the feeling of fear, avoiding fear-inducing situations at all costs. Although the physical reaction is the same, fear may be perceived as either positive or negative, depending on the person.

 

Causes of Fear

Fear is incredibly complex. Some fears may be a result of experiences or trauma, while others may represent a fear of something else entirely, such as a loss of control. Still, other fears may occur because they cause physical symptoms, such as being afraid of heights because they make you feel dizzy and sick to your stomach.” 

Per- The Psychology Behind Fear, By Lisa Fritscher, Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on November 07, 2019”

 

A person’s perspective of fear can have negative and also positive effects. It can be beneficial and also detrimental, according to how one relates and responds to it.

 

Our society today thrives on sensationalism, and uses the fear factor almost daily, if you watch any amount of tv or listen to public radio. News media has found monetary benefits in thrusting fear into their headlines. I shake my head as the bold headlines state, “BREAKING NEWS!”, a tactic they know will immediately create curiosity, then fear, if it’s dramatic or threatening enough.

 

When I began to enlarge on this subject, spiritually my mind went to scripture references. Job was the first example who came to mind.

 

Job stands out in scripture and is seen as one of the most profound patriarchs of Biblical history.

He was a devout man, a blessed man it seemed by worldly standards. As some would say today, ‘he had his cake and ate it, too.’ But lest we forget, Job was a human being. He realized his successes, but inside of him was an element of fear. (I will insert this personal opinion here…I believe the richer people are, the more fear is a factor in their lives. They can’t sleep well, they’re always contemplating possibilities for more success or paranoid that there may be a conspiracy or vendetta lurking in the shadows for their detriment).

 

In the first chapter of Job we read his portfolio…outstanding. In verses 4-5, we read where his sons and daughters feasted, as was their custom, but Job had a fear issue, for in verse 5 it states, “Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” He wanted to be sure his children were not straying from their upbringing.

 

As the story unfolds, in just a matter of time Job’s world collapses. The unthinkable became reality. Ever had life to serve you from that table? I have. How could God allow all these bad things to happen to such a good man as Job? It proves that there is none exempt from sorrow. Money, fame, success, notoriety, nor any other category is above catastrophes. God does not do bad things, but He will use bad thing for our good and His glory, to prove He is greater than anything negative. 

 

Job stated the reality of his fear factor in chapter 3:25, “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.”

Boom! Although he loved God, had served him all his life, had been blessed beyond measure, hidden in a dark room of his heart was—fear. 

 

There’s countless other examples of the power of fear which I won’t enlarge upon here, for as you well know if you follow my writings, seldom do I end a story with discouragement, but rather encouragement.

 

There, no doubt, are those of you reading this who battle with fear. You try to disguise it, keep it hidden in a dark room in your heart, pretend to be strong and brave. But truth be known, it makes you paranoid; looking out windows when there is an unfamiliar sound, wondering who is lurking around a distant corner. As stated above, fear can also be positive and many love it when they can be a daredevil and conquer a fear. 

 

A Godly fear is healthy, when it is accompanied by love. In 1 John 4 states, v.18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.” In other words, the key to conquering fear is love. Loving and trusting God, because we know His love is greater than any fear the enemy tries to create in us. 

 

Throughout scriptures we read where God would say,”Fear not”; Jesus knew the humanness of mankind, and countless times He would say, “Fear not”…because He knew fear was the opposite of faith. 

 

So, I leave this with you today-Don’t be afraid. When fear tries to grip your heart, take a step back and refocus your perspective. Ask, “Is what I’m fearing going to help or hurt me?”

Many times when God begins to move us in a new direction or a new mindset, fear tries to distract us.

What if? becomes a primary question, which creates a negative perspective.

Look at the big picture. For sure, there is going to be some issues to overcome, but remember the words of Jesus, in St. John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

The whole chapter 16 deals with issues which could create fear, but Jesus always made His listeners realize that as long as they would follow Him, love Him, trust Him, then they could be an overcomer.

So it is for us today. The key is to follow hard after God, the Father, through Jesus Christ His Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

DON’T BE AFRAID!

 

D. S. Mullis

Copyright.2020