these two things

I believe there are two things that paralyze the majority of us and keep us from stepping outside of our comfort zone.  Just two things.

Now the list of things outside my comfort zone??....now that list is much longer.

Things like.....

Fear of being wrong.  Fear of failure.  Fear of looking foolish.  Fear of being hurt.  Fear of being alone.....Fear of.......

I think you see the trend here.

Fear

What is 'Fear'? 

Well the dictionary defines fear as.. a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid.

Whether the fear is 'real' or 'imagined'......

Now, what does the Bible say about this?

To start there are two kinds of 'Fear'.   One is encouraged, the other is to be overcome.

The first is 'Fear of God'.  This type of fear does not mean we are to be afraid OF God, but rather have a reverential awe towards God.  With this type of 'Fear' in God, brings blessings and benefits.

The second 'Fear' is the 'Spirit of Fear' when it comes to everything else.   This, Spirit of Fear - is to be overcome....

2 Timothy 1:7  for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

 How do we overcome this spirit of 'Fear'?  By our consistent, persistent, and complete love of and dependence on God!


God knew we would fall victim to 'Fear' like this, and that's why He placed reference to overcoming this type of 'Fear' throughout the Bible.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Isaiah 41:10  fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Matthew 10:31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

All of these verses point us to God when we feel fear overcome us and envelop our lives.

The second 'thing' is being alone.  

The enemy will try to convince us that we are alone...

No one else is going through what you are going through.....

No one will understand......


No one will forgive you.....

Fear.....isolation.... two very powerful conditions.

But, just as God let us know that we do not need to have a Spirit of Fear, He also let us know we are not alone.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.

1 Peter 5:6-9 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,

God loves us and cares for us.  When we have faith and trust in him, and ask for His will to be done, it is amazing what he can do to the perimeter of our comfort zone.  


Funny thing, I use to Pray as a 'last resort'.  How much pain and fear I allowed to overtake my life because I would not Pray First....  

So, at the first sign of Fear do not hesitate to go to God.

At the first sign of feeling alone, remember you are not, God is there for you.


God is here, everywhere, always.