Phobia

"The fear of man brings a snare (a trap), but whoever leans om, trusts in, and puts his confidence in the Lord is safe and set on high." - Proverbs 29:25

"The Lord is my Light and my Salvation-whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?"- Psalm 27:1

It is human nature to fear something. It is a constant uphill battle for many people. It could be a fear of losing money, losing friends, losing someone's good opinion, losing something. I have noticed in my own life that I have feared/fear a lot of different things. I'm not talking about my irrational fear of snakes or your fear of spiders. I'm talking about something bigger-the fear of people. What if they don't like me? What if I'm not good enough? What if I get rejected? What if I say something wrong and I look bad? All these "what if" questions! At some point in their life, everyone has asked themselves one or all of these questions.

Fear is the antithesis of faith, or the opposite of faith. Where faith is, fear is not and vice versa. There are 5 things that I have noticed about both of them.

Fear:
1.) Originates from Satan.
-John 10:10 says he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Fear is stealing, killing, and destroying your faith everytime you let it win.
2.) Resides in your heart because of insecurity.
-You are taking your word about yourself over God's Word.
3.) It is selfish.
-The moment you are in fear, you aren't just trying to protect yourself, you're refusing to let a light shine in you for other people to see.
4.) It starts with a loss.
-The glass is half-empty. People living in fear see only what they lack.
5.) Paralyzes your effectiveness.
-Ever heard of the phrase "scared stiff?" Fear doesn't act or move. It stands still. It is bondage.

Faith:
1.) Is from the Lord.
-Romans 12:3 says that God gave each of us the measure of faith. It is necessary for you to exercise it.
2.) Comes from an intimate knowing of God's love and power.
- "There is no fear in love, but full-grown love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love." 1 John 4:18 The more you get to know God's love, you're faith increases.
-1 Corinthians 2 :5 tells us that our faith is not to rest on man's power, but on God's.
3.) Concerned about God and other people.
-Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
-In Matthew 28:19&20, Jesus tells his disciples to go into the world and tell everyone about Him. That doesn't happen without faith in Him. Once you know His love, you can't just keep it to yourself.
4.) Starts with what you have.
-The glass is always full! If someone living in true faith sees the glass half-full, they will know God will fill it up until it overflows.
-Kingdom living says that with God anything is possible at any given moment. God is more than enough for you.
5.) Faith takes action.
-It is impossible for a person to be stagnant if they are feeding their faith everyday with God's Word. They'll want to move and want to share! It is freedom.

The battle is in your mind, but let faith take root in your heart. Guard your heart and your mind so you won't be swayed. Remember it is not you who live, but Christ in you.

So basically that's about all I have for you today, kids. Thanks for lending me your eyes. I hope you continue to learn and let your faith develope. God began a great work in you and He will bring it through to completion. I shall leave you with some scriptures and I pray they speak as much to you as they did to me.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. -Isaiah 26:3

For I the Lord your God hold your right hand, I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not, I will help you.- Isaiah 41:13

Have I not commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.- Luke 12:32

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. - Phillipians 4:6&7

:)