Thinking
Fear
The Bible tells us to
“fear not”
Perfect love casts out all fear
In Isaiah 51:12-13
God addresses our
thoughts of fear
He questions who we
think we are
Our arrogance and
pride
God sees our fear as
pride
Who do you think you are that you are too proud to trust Me?
God is the God of all
comfort
And that comfort
comes to us in the power of His promises
Fear causes us to
forget the love and power of God
His ability to care
for us
Fear
Our thoughts can be motivated by fear.
There is a healthy fear.
But there is also…
Fear that generates negative thoughts.
When we think of fear, we think of
weakness, hopelessness, crying, failing.
Our fears cause us to think of reasons
why we cannot do something.
Fear brings torment to our thoughts.
Thinking of fear takes the joy out of life.
Fear elevates the evil over good.
Like a little child afraid of a storm wants the
comfort of mom or dad, we too want comfort.
Isaiah 51:12 says…
I, even I, am He who
comforts you.
This is a very comforting verse.
God is the God of all
comfort.
2 Corinthians
1:3-5
But if we read on, it might surprise us.
God asks a question…
“Who are you that you
fear?”
This question is…
“Who do you think you are?”
We don’t think of us being full of pride.
But God is saying you
are
proud when you become afraid.
God does not comfort us in our fear with a big hug
and hold us so the darkness does not get us.
He does not look at our weakness and say that’s ok,
I will be your strength, even though He is.
He addresses our pride…
“Who are you that you
fear?”
The verse before, God is giving us a great promise…
The ransomed of the
LORD will return.
They will enter Zion
with singing;
everlasting joy will
crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will
overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing
will flee away.
Isaiah 51:11
Everlasting joy, overtaken by gladness and joy.
Sorrow and sighing flee away.
That is the kind of comforting God we want.
And that is the comforting God we have, but…
God addresses our fear.
Fear that rises as pride and arrogance.
Who do you think you
are that
you are too proud to
trust Me?
The people in Isaiah 51 have belittled
God by doubting God cares.
God says…
Who are you that you
fear mortal men?
Why fear man who has a short shelf life?
Then God reminds them…
You forget the LORD your Maker,
who stretched out the
heavens and
laid the foundations
of the earth. Vs 13
Why live in terror?
You live in constant terror every day
because of the wrath
of the oppressor,
who is bent on
destruction?
For where is the wrath
of the oppressor? Vs. 13
When God comforts our fear,
He does not allow us to stay in
our helpless, weak state of mind.
He reminds us of His power and strength.
Which is more powerful...
The oppressors of
earth or
the one who made the earth?
Where is our mind, our thoughts?
On fear, doubting God’s cares
Or
Thoughts of victory and overcoming.
Which thoughts are ruling our mind?
Don’t dwell on the weakness
of fear, it is an insult to God.
Dwell on the God who gives
you the power to do all things.
Perfect love cast out
all fear.
Know God’s love for you and the promises
and power He gives you because of that love.
God’s comfort for our fear is strength.
Not pondering our weakness.
Give Him praise and think on
His power to face your fears.
Scripture Reading
Isaiah 51:12-13 NIV
12 "I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Who are you that you fear mortal men,
the sons of men, who are but grass,
13 that you forget the LORD your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth,
that you live in constant terror every day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
who is bent on destruction?
For where is the wrath of the oppressor?
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