Why Are You Afraid?

Why are You Afraid?

Adam and Eve were the first persons to be afraid. After they ate of the forbidden fruit, God came to them in the garden calling for them, but they hid because they were afraid. It was not their sin that worried them, it was the fact that they were naked, and now they realized it.

As a young child, Samuel was taught to listen to the voice of God, and not to be afraid to obey and speak out even if it would upset others. His first encounter with the voice of God was disturbing for sure. He had to tell the Priest Eli things that were not so exciting.

Gideon was one who was extremely fearful when an angel came to him telling him to lead his people into battle. His arguments were, I am nothing, I am the least, but as he considered that this was important to God, he relented, but not without some arguing and testing to make sure he was doing the right thing. God was willing to put up with Gideon's fear, because he knew that a conqueror lived inside the man.

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. Fear God and obey his Commandments; which are to love God and, to love one another.

Psalms 56:3-4 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. I was afraid - - - but God will deliver me from all my fears.

There are many reasons why we are sometimes afraid and are fearful. Often it is facing the unknown; doing something we have never done before; a new happening that we must partake of. Perhaps it is a risk, because we are unsure and feel this could be difficult to try. We might think we will be criticized, or made fun of, and embarrass ourselves.

As children, when a new vegetable was offered to us, we refused trying it, because we did not recognize it and did not realize it might be good for us.

That is the way it is with God's gifts, they are good for us and to bless others. Do not be afraid to receive His Holy Gifts. When the gifts and calling from God are new to us, we may hesitate, but God is not pleased when we hold back and refuse to accept what He is offering us. God desires to pour out on us His gifts of Prophesy, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, including a prayer language, but if we are too scared to open our mouth and speak, we are in effect grieving the Holy Spirit of God.

When you attempt a new thing, there is often hesitancy; thinking you might fail and people will laugh at you. Or you pray for the sick, and nothing seems to happen. Just have faith that you did the right thing and God is working behind the scenes.

Many at their place of work are asked to smile, be friendly, greet customers, ask how their day is going, and other simple things that seem to say, “I care.” At work many will do these things but in a church setting they freeze and cannot say a word. 

If someone tries to encourage them, they fear that they are being manipulated and controlled, so they clam up even more. The naked truth is there is something beneath the surface that needs attention. May we ever be willing to accept correction from the Lord, even if it comes in a way we do not like.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity (or of fear), but of power and love and a sound mind. (notice that Paul calls fear and timidity a spirit.) We will soften it and called it an attitude.

The sad fact is that many of us are walking in fear and with a timid heart, which causes us distress and a spirit of heaviness. There are many attitudes that cause fear and sadness. Often it is harboring unforgiveness and holding a grudge. 

When you are able to observe others, you will soon recognize that even as Christians there are many who are not able to greet others with a kind word. For some silly reason, this is only at church, because at work, at home and other places they are very outspoken. Until they are able to realize this is from our enemy, and that fear is preventing them from an abundant life, and will deal with it, they will continue to be depressed and ill in their bodies. This is happening every day. 

Understand that fear is a spirit and it comes in the form of a temptation, so do not yield to it. Resist, and rebuke those fears and be willing to do it afraid.

How does this apply to our prayers today over our city? We must be bold in prayer and not timid as we ask God to soften hard hearts, open spiritual eyes and ears, and to raise up workers to speak up and bring deliverance to our hurting citizens. If God is calling YOU to be a worker, then be ready in boldness and confidence going forward with a courageous heart to obey what the Holy Spirit is saying. With out Fear - -