Don’t Fear or Be Afraid

Today’s blog is by George Stahnke with Renewal ministries of Colorado Springs.

© 2003 George Stahnke. Renewal Ministries of Colorado Springs ~ www.renewalcs.org

Used by permission.

Today I want to speak to you on the subject of fear. There are many reasons for fear. Fear can be a normal expression of emotion brought on by sudden actions, distress or danger. Fear unchecked can paralyze us emotionally. It can robe us of God given opportunity and blessing. His peace enables us to rise above our fears, to walk in faith toward God and His word, to be all, do all and to receive all that He has promised.

Do not fear or be afraid of change.

When God is about to do something that will impact our lives we need reassurance. Boldly embrace what God wants to do!

Joseph: Matthew 1:20 (NIV) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Mary: Luke 1:30 (NIV) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.

Do not fear or be afraid of lack.

Fear causes us to be anxious, to worry and fret. Fear causes us to loose sight of God’s provision. We can be so fearful of not having what we need that we horde and do not allow God to use us to minister to the needs of others.

Luke 12:22 – 32 (NIV) Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:32 (AMP) Do not be seized with alarm {and} struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!

Do not fear or be afraid to approach.

The hemorrhaging woman & The synagogue rulers daughter: Mark 5:21—36 (NIV) When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

At God’s word we are able to exchange or fear for His peace. With the absence of fear we can embrace the situation with renewed faith.

We’ll continue this post later.

George Stahnke has been in ministry for 31 years serving fifteen as a senior pastor. He has taught in Ukraine, Philippines, India and China. George works in the Counseling department at Focus on the Family and is the founder of Renewal Ministries of Colorado Springs, which includes private counseling.

Renewal ministries of Colorado Springs ~ Hope and Healing Through Christ-Centered Ministry. info@renewalcs.org.

© 2003 George Stahnke. Renewal Ministries of Colorado Springs ~ www.renewalcs.org