Today I’d like to offer you a concept that you may or may not be familiar with. It goes like this:
“Fear is a feeling just like every other feeling.”
My agenda today is to strip down all power and authority we have consciously or unconsciously given to the idea, the feeling, the reason and even the spirit of fear. The world has used fear to control many narratives of the people and ideas of the world and we have bought into them because they are based on the unknown and rather than respond with faith as we have learned to do in Christianity, the world suggests to respond in fear.
It seems like fear has tagged alongside Covid in hopes of creating a pandemic of itself.
But let me tell you fear is a feeling just like every other feeling. Don’t get me wrong fear has very real consequences that can be traced very tangible but when I say that fear is a feeling just like every other feeling, what I’m trying to do is level the playing field. When we understand that fear works in the same way that joy and sorrow do, then we have a better chance of fighting it and a less chance of feeding it.
You see fear works with the same mechanism as other feelings. When you are filled with them in abundance they have the ability to change you and take you to “places” (often metaphorical and mental but can translate to physical). When you have feelings of fear and give them your energy and focus they can cause you to stagnate and take you to places of isolation in hopes of feeling “safe.” When you have feelings of joy and give them your energy and focus they can cause you to move (given the nature of joy) and take you to places of interaction in hopes of feeling “happy.”
Whatever feeling you give your attention and energy to will take you to the places where it can be maintained. Fear will not cause you to go to a place of Joy because it knows it cannot be maintained in that space. The same goes for Sorrow and Anger.
On my journey to dealing with Fear this has helped me understand that any and all power fear has on me was given by me and It’s my responsibility to stop. My attention and energy is needed elsewhere. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus, I no longer have to “fear fear” but can walk in freedom through Christ.
Remember:
2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
“7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.“
Focus your attention and energy on things above:
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
This morning I read Psalms 34 and I felt like God wanted me to pray these words over you. May the promise of his Word be fulfilled in those who choose to believe. In Jesus’ name we claim, Amen!
Psalm 34:4-7 (NIV)
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.