Answer this question in your mind: What are you afraid of right now?
As a diagnostician, I can predict with fair certainty where you are stalled or stuck in your life, once I know your fears because: FEAR PARALYZES.
I will give you an example from the world of art. Ask a painter, ask a writer, ask any creative person how much they accomplish when fear has seized their mind.
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Ask the business professional how creative he or she is with problem solving or strategizing, when their heart is gripped by fear.
Ask the spouse, who wants to work on the marriage, but lives with the dread and fear of losing the marriage, if they can DO the work, while desperate and afraid.
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In each case the answers will reveal that fear paralyzes. When we are stuck in life, stalled in moving forward, an insightful question to address is: What are my fears?
And we all have fears.
THE MOST FREQUENTLY REPEATED COMMAND IN THE BIBLE IS: DO NOT FEAR!
Fear lands in one of four places:
1. We fear pain--
I am told that an instinctive fear is the fear of falling. The real fear is the fear of pain when you land.
2. We fear loss--
This may include the fear of losing a job, losing a relationship, losing our health, or losing a loved one.
3. We fear humiliation/embarrassment--
Statistically, a great fear is of public speaking. It’s not actually speaking that we are afraid of, but the fear of sounding dumb or awkward. It’s the fear of how we will be perceived. Same thing with the fear of failure. That’s really a fear of being embarrassed.
4. We fear people--
We fear the opinions of people, we fear their rejection, we fear their disapproval, so we become people pleasers.
And here is what I know for SURE about those fears: NONE of them are from God. Let me prove it:
“For God has NOT given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Did you know the Bible says there should only be one fear, and it’s not any of the ones I named. Do you want to know what it is?
We Should Fear God.
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” Proverbs 9:10
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ‘FEAR GOD?’
The Fear of the Lord is Reverent Awe
The Fear of the Lord is the Constant Awareness of His Presence
The Fear of the Lord is Being MORE Concerned With What He Thinks and Feels Than What Anyone Else Feels or Thinks
Consider your fears and how they stop you and negatively influence your life and future. Then, pause to consider what part the fear/reverence for God plays in your daily life.
Brad Johnson is the Pastor of California Community Church, Agoura Hills, CA