Overcoming Fear

January 2nd, 2022
by Amy Smalley

Proverbs 12:25 KJV
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Fear comes in two types: rational and irrational. Let’s explore the difference. Rational fear: being bitten by a poisonous spider. Irrational fear: spiders the size of a pencil eraser. Rational fear: falling from heights. Irrational fear: clowns. Rational fear: rejection from friends. Irrational fear: rejection from God.

Rejection from God is an irrational fear because the scriptures directly refute it. Consider Joshua 1:5 and Hebrews 13:5:

Joshua 1:5 KJV
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5 KJV
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

This fear is just one fear that scripture tells us we should not bother with. Others include what will happen tomorrow (Luke 12:22), death (Rev. 2:10), and what others may do to us (Luke 12:4).

What can conquer these fears? God’s love:

1 John 4:18 KJV
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Corresponding Sermon: Jeff Swayne 1/2/22 AM