The Thief of Fear

Don't let fear immobilize you. A stronghold of fear is invited in sometimes because of unfamiliar territory, perceived or real dangers, temptation to do things we know are wrong, guilt from doing things we know were wrong, complications in our lives, complications caused by others, emotional or physical pain, and much more.

Types of Fear

1. Most of us face a time in our lives when we are at a crossroad. Should we proceed or not? As a child, we lean on our parents for guidance and hopefully trust them to encourage us in the right direction. As adults, we must step out of our comfort zones.

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind on unfamiliar roads. I will lead them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light in front of them. I will make rough places smooth. These are the things I will do for them, and I will never abandon them.

2. Fear intensifies when we are not prepared or when the danger seems or is real. Most of the time, our thoughts play a role in rousing fear where there may not be anything to fear.

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.

3. Resisting the temptation that causes fear can strengthen us and our faith and closeness to our Lord. Fear enters when our desire to give into temptations rather than listen to what God says about them is stronger than our desire for wholeness, peace, and the love of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There isn’t any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.

4. If we have given into temptations, we fear that God will reject us, that we can never bounce back from it, or that we have been sucked into a vortex of unrelenting sin. But how can we break the cycle?

Matthew 3:8

Do those things that prove you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. 

There are many openings to the stronghold of fear. Fear steals our blessings and causes us to react instead of to act. That’s right. If we fear we cannot have faith because fear doubts. Fear is a form of faith but without love, because FEAR faith says, "things will go wrong."

1 John 4:18 No fear exists where his [God's] love is. Rather, perfect love gets rid of fear, because fear involves punishment. The person who lives in fear doesn’t have perfect love.

Sometimes it seems easier to give in to fear rather than overcome it. When we give into fear in the extreme we become disabled or immobilized. A disabled person is not expected to do much to succeed or even to help others. A person without undue fear is never disabled even if he/she is in a wheelchair.

Biblical help to overcome fear:

1. Pray and thank God in advance.

Philippians 4:6 (GW) ⁶Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.

This verse doesn’t need much of an explanation if you’ve already received the salvation of Jesus Christ. If you haven't, GO. Get on your knees, ask for help and expect (WITHOUT FEAR) that God will answer.

As I faced one of the most fearful trials of my Christian life I kept Psalm 91 in my pocket and glanced at it from time to time. It really helped me then and continues to help me now. PSALM 91 is a good Psalm TO MEMORIZE.

2. Have patience. If what you fear is eminent you may continue to fear it, and patience takes a back seat. If you have prayed, wait, and trust God that he will deliver you from any undue fear.

Proverbs 25:15 With patience you can persuade a ruler, and a soft tongue can break bones.

Fear caused by real eminent danger needs addressing in other ways. Here are some helpful links to keep safe from Domestic Violence, Stalking, Violent Crimes, Terrorist Crimes. Let us know if these links are broken.

3. Trust God. The truth is that we lack trust when we don’t see our answer come immediately or when we fear death.

Psalm 56:3-4 Even when I am afraid, I still trust you. ⁴I praise the word of God. I trust God. I am not afraid. What can mere flesh and blood do to me?

Matthew 10:28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

4. Be Faithful – God is always true to His word. ALWAYS!

Romans 3:3 ³What if some of them were unfaithful? Can their unfaithfulness cancel God’s faithfulness?

1 Corinthians 1:9 God faithfully keeps his promises. He called you to be partners with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

5. It’s up to us to choose not to fear—choose instead the righteous fear which is awe-inspiring respect and reverence for the Lord.

Psalm 91:5-7a  You do not need to fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly during the day, ⁶plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon. ^7aThey will not come near you,

Proverbs 3:7 Do not consider yourself wise. Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Patricia Redsicker, the owner of WordView Editing, points out that there are 365 references to FEAR NOT  in the Bible. One for each day of the year.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka
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Stronghold of Stinginess

Stinginess like pettiness depletes the host of whatever it is withholding. A stingy person is unwilling or shows an unwillingness to share with others. A stronghold of stinginess sets in when the fear of poverty increases–unfortunately, this same stronghold perpetuates poverty and the resultant fear.

If a stronghold of poverty or fear didn’t come before stinginess became an issue, it invites the stronghold of poverty and of course many other strongholds along with it, depending on the measure of stinginess–think, Ebenezer Scrooge. In the story of Scrooge, Ebenezer Scrooge became shut off to the world, fearful, and petty in all he did.

Proverbs 11:24 There is that scatters, and yet increases, and there is that withhold more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.

Where does this stronghold come from?
Like most other strongholds stinginess begins in our thoughts. Fear is a great contributor to this thought process but selfishness is not far behind. Fear of losing, of not having enough, of going without, of getting too close–in short, any number of thoughts can trigger the thought to withhold something that should be given.

What can be done to keep this stronghold from setting in? 

5 Biblical tips to overcome or obliterate a stronghold of stinginess:

1. Learn God’s will for provisions in your life and His direction. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor lacks nothing. Whoever ignores the poor receives many curses.

2. Trust the Lord to keep His promises for your obedience.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

3. Cast away any fear that might lead you to believe anything other than what God has said. Be patient.

Proverbs 28:22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.

4. Give generously when you have the opportunity and ability to give.

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

5. Love. Keep your thoughts free from anything that would cause you not to withhold love.

Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka