Learning to Deal with Fear

Deal With It: 
Learning To Deal With Fear: 
Matthew 6:25-33

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Fear in man followed the Fall of man.

As a child of God, we have all the necessary resources to adequately deal with the fear in our lives.

A Description of Fear

1. Fear Can Be Positive/Appropriate

• We are told to fear God

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10)

• There are some things in this world that are Dangerous

“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 27:12)

2. Fear Can Be Destructive

A mental image of what we don’t want to happen
Synonyms: Anxiety, Worry, Dread

• This type of fear is not part of God’s Design for us

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

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:6–7)

The Dangers of Fear

• Fear Robs Us Of The Best Of Ourselves
• Fear Robs Us Of The Best For Others
• Fear Robs Us Of The Best From God
• Fear Isolates us from God, Faith connects us to God

Dealing With Our Fear

1. Remember Who You Are

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'” (Romans 8:15)

2. Name Your Fears

“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14)

3. Choose Your Focus

• Today

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

• Things you can Control

“Jesus said to him, 'If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!'” (John 21:22)

• On God’s Presence

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Is there a sovereign God who holds my life in the palm of His hand or not? If so, can He be trusted?

4. Join Hands With Others

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12)

5. Take Action

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:7–8)

Society emphasizes Feelings. The Bible emphasizes Obedient Action.

“Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.” Emerson

Courage is the mastery of fear, not the Absence of fear

We Will Live Our Lives Dominated By Fear Or By Faith
Which Will You Choose?

Making It Personal:

• What are the major points of fear in my life right now?
• How have I been dealing with these fears?
• What steps can I take to experience more of God’s provision for the fears in my life?
• Who in my life can I share these truths with?