Welcome to Fear-Factor Fridays, where we contend with one of our greatest enemies: anxiety.
Today, I am exploring what fear is.
- Is fear an emotion or a state of mind? Perhaps it is both, perhaps it is neither.
- Perhaps fear is an idea, shot into the mind like an arrow from the Enemy’s attack. If so, Paul encourages us to use the shield of faith against such arrows (Ephesians 6).
- Perhaps fear is an attitude, or a thought that we are commanded to take captive. (1 Cor. 10:5)
- Fearcan be an emotion. We can express happiness, sadness, and fear. The Psalmist expresses this in Psalm 56:2-4:
“My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
- Or is fear a response? I get scared when my husband sneaks up on me (especially when he sings the jaws theme).
Whatever “fear” is for you, the Bible is clear that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). If you are struggling with anxiety today, or are trying to bring an emotional response of fear under self-control, I encourage you to dive deeper into love. We don’t have to dissect fear itself to conquer it. Rather we must hide ourselves in Christ, our protector and warrior, strength giver, and perspective-enlightener.
What do you think fear is? How do you challenge your fear(s) through Christ?
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