What should you fear? What is fear? Fear is a thought that controls your beliefs and decisions. We mostly fear the unknown. If you are afraid of germs or the virus, then you will protect yourself. If you are afraid of snakes, spiders, or mice, then you will scream and run away or try to kill them. There are many fears a person can have, and some are irrational fears. Have you seen the movie “What About Bob?” starring Bill Murry and Richard Dreyfus? This movie depicts how irrational fear controls the life of Bob, played by Bill Murry.
Irrational Fears.
Many fears are irrational thoughts that can be overwhelming but can be overcome. Most fears usually originate from a bad experience, your imagination, or from what you watch on TV (i.e. news) or in the movies, and what you read. For the life of me, I do not understand how people can watch horror shows. Fearful images remain in your memory and cause stress in your body, which leads to illnesses. Traumatic memories that trigger fears can be healed so the fear no longer controls you. To heal traumatic memories read my short book.
For example, irrational fear controls people who are preparing for the worst disasters that may never happen. Of all things, we are experiencing a pandemic and are told to stay in isolation, so everyone is buying up all the toilet paper, cleaners, hand sanitizers, etc. You should have at least 1-3 months of necessities on hand to help you get through most difficult times. I am glad I have three months of toilet paper in my what-if storage shelf because we can’t find it anywhere.
You can transform fear into peace, by replacing the fearful thoughts with reassuring thoughts of protection. Read through all the Psalms and note every passage related to protection, deliverance from troubles, and God as your refuge. Write key verses out that help you feel peaceful and review them. This exercise will greatly encourage you and strengthen your faith. Read my blog series on Psalm 91 – Psalm 91 Posts
What should you fear?
You should fear God. Not in an irrational way but because you want to stay in a right relationship with Him by not sinning. The fear of God is a combination of being in awe of His mighty power and love and His judgment, which causes you to turn away from doing evil. When you sin you do evil because evil is disobeying God and doing and saying things to harm or cause trouble for other people (Webster dictionary also see Romans 6). Proverbs 3:7 states, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.” And Proverbs 8:13 states, “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Believe and know, God strongly supports you when your heart is completely His and you are submitted to Him. 2Chronicals 16:9 states, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”
Pride keeps you in fear of the wrong things, like the fear of man instead of God. Fear of rejection causes you to do anything to not be rejected, even if it is sin. Pride keeps you from being in awe of God and submitting to His authority and turning from your sin. Proverbs 22:4 states, “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.” Is this something you would like? Read “How Pride Destroys”
What are the benefits of fearing God?
- God’s angel protects you, and you will be blessed, and you will lack nothing. Psalms 34:7-9 states, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8) Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9) Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!”
- God will help you and shield you from all harm. Psalm 115:11 states, “You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.” Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”
- You will have confidence and you will feel safe. Proverb 14:26 states, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge.”
- You will have wisdom and know what to do. Psalms 111:10 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.”
- You will have a long life. Proverbs 10:27 “The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.”
Conclusion:
Being fearful is our natural inclination. But it is better to fear God and be under His protection and provision than to fear the things going on around you or to fear people and what they may do or think. To keep your peace and not be afraid, claim the promises in your Bible, especially the Psalms, and stay away from the things that put fear into your mind. If you have an irrational fear that is controlling your life, please seek help or read my short book on my website.
I hope this post has helped you, and I am praying for you.
RELATED POSTS:
How to Embrace the Challenge of Change with Grace
Thoughts That Create Peace Within and Without
Identify and Replace False Beliefs
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P.S.: Experiencing lasting change in your life depends on having a right relationship with God the Father through believing in His Son Jesus Christ and obeying His command to love (1 John 3).
Hope for Complete Healing 