Crippling Fears, Part 1
“...and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31b KJV).
We read just a few verses before that these believers of the early church had asked for boldness. Now we see them speaking with the boldness they had prayed for. I am mesmerized by the people of this era of time. They chose not to shortchange themselves by simply taking their fears to God. You and I would have had all kind of phobias in this day and age just like them. They beheaded people, too, like they have done those captured in modern day Iraq. These people went before God because they were facing such frightening persecution. Nothing becomes mundane when your life is on this line, or I should say “head” is on the line. So in the face of enormous adversity these early apostles and followers of Christ sought God’s face to overcome their fears of repression and hateful persecution.
Phobos is the Greek word for fear. An object of memory or education inspires almost all phobic reactions of morbid dread and anxiety. As a child, you learn that a snake is poisonous, dangerous; fire burns and dogs might bite. The tragedy in adult life is that we allow fears to inhibit us, paralyze us and destroy our happiness. After many years now, I have counseled every kind of phobic person you can imagine. One lady only a few years ago had the greatest fear I have ever seen before about dying and leaving all her money to her childish husband. He was always in debt. She ha d the “head on her shoulders” for business; but not him—he was a disaster just waiting to happen. But because of her spendthrift husband she could not enjoy her own life at the present time. What a crippling phobia for someone to cope with!
Your source of new enthusiasm, dynamic energy and resiliency toward your phobias comes through your intimacy with God. Whatever you’re troubled about talk to God. Just talk to your Father. Tell Him your fears. Ask for His assistance. After all these years my wife, Nancy Jean, has always stuck by her favorite verse, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3 KJV). Beat your fears up today—trust Him. He’ll help you.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Crippling Fears, Part 2
“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4 KJV).
What do you fear the most? In your own life right now what bothers you constantly that is a nagging, gnawing anxiousness deep within your soul and heart? Many people live their entire life fearful of what might happen to them. This unnecessary baggage becomes a heavy smothering of their spirit, their aspirations and especially their confidence. No wonder thousands of people kill themselves worldwide because they have fought this smothering affect way too long. So, they end their own lives thinking this will be better than going on in a world of such puzzlement and perplexities.
The word anxious actually comes from an old Latin term, anxius, based on angere meaning “to choke.” That’s precisely what fears do to you. Whatever you have never done before, you’re often afraid of. When I was much younger, I almost drown. I went canoeing with a group along the Guadalupe River. The man at the canoe rental told us that it was OK to row over what was called, “Waco Falls.” However, as a novice canoeist, my friend and I went down in a hurry trying to pass through these rapid waters at the Waco Falls junction of this river. I got caught underneath the canoe and could not come up for air because the canoe became lodged within the large stones at this Waco Falls. Finally, I was able to come up for air as I miraculously weaved my way out from underneath the canoe. I was choking for lack of air.
Are you choking for a lack of air? Do you have those haunting fears around your neck? Surely, the Psalmist did and he went to the right Person to find relief. Satan loves keep you down with apprehensions. He wants nothing better than to choke the spirit of Christ out of you through every trepidation he can come up with. He is like a boa constrictor; he’ll crush your character and your heart if he can—hates to see you free in Christ. But look at what a promise we have in this verse, “and delivered me from all my fears.”
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
