2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
There are many fears we face. One is the fear of man. Even the Apostle Peter and Barnabas gave in to it.They were eating with the Gentiles, but they stopped because they were afraid of the Jews, who had many dietary restrictions (Galatians 2:12-13). However, God has declared that all things are edible once we have given thanks (1 Timothy 4:4-5).
Another fear is the fear of the unknown, such as the different scenarios and outcomes of what we are facing in life. It can grip us mentally, emotionally, and at times physically, depending on the extent to which we allow it to immobilise us. Most of us think we can control our lives, but no one can have absolute control. There will be occasions when we feel we have lost control of our lives, and no amount of money can resolve it.
Other types of fear that may engulf us include:
- Fear of missing out (FOMO) or losing out.
- Fear of not being able to transition into the corporate world after graduating from university, which causes some to continue with endless academic studies. It is escapism.
- Fear of being abandoned or betrayed by our spouse as we age. This can make us insecure and, consequently, suspicious and worried. Insecurity is the worst emotional enemy.
- Fear of being abandoned by our children in old age, so we become jealous of the attention they give to their spouse, which leads to bad in-law relationships.
- Fear of not having enough money for retirement due to the rising cost of living and inflation.
- Fear of falling sick and becoming chronically ill; thus, we react to every symptom in our bodies. We read and listen too much to others’ experiences, which makes us doubt even medical specialists.
- Fear of dying. Everyone ages and will eventually pass away. It is a fact of life.
- The greatest fear that one will face will be on the day when we meet the Creator God who is holy, just, and righteous, face to face on the Day of Judgment.
We need to know that fear is the devil’s work; it does not originate from God, nor does God use it to teach us a lesson. We can overcome cares and anxieties because God has given us a spirit of power, of love, and of sound mind. Therefore, let us take hold of what belongs to us when the devil uses fear to immobilise us and hold us in bondage!
We will have peace once we have dealt with the fear of men and their rejection because we will be more concerned about what God thinks of us. As for the fear of the unknown, God wants us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. We can take comfort that God is with us and for us.
Reflection: Are you surrendering your fears to God and living with the confidence that He is for us and with us? Which fears is He calling you to lay at His feet right now?
Sermon Series: Are You Casting Your Cares to the Lord
活出信心，拒绝恐惧
提摩太后书1:7 因为神赐给我们不是胆怯的心，乃是刚强、仁爱、谨守的心。
我们面临着许多种恐惧。首先是对人的惧怕。 甚至连使徒彼得和巴拿巴也曾向这种恐惧妥协。他们原本与外邦人一同吃饭，但后来却因怕那些严守饮食条例的犹太人，就退去与外邦人隔开了（加拉太书 2:12-13）。然而，神早已宣告，凡物只要感谢着领受，就都是可吃的（提摩太前书 4:4-5)。
另一种恐惧是对未知的惧怕。 比如面对生命中各种不同的处境和结局时，我们心里所产生的恐慌。这种恐惧会侵蚀我们的心思、情感，有时甚至会引发身体的不适，这完全取决于我们任由它瘫痪我们到何种程度。我们大多数人都以为自己能掌控生活，但事实上，没有人能拥有绝对的掌控权。总有一些时刻，我们会觉得自己对人生失去了控制，而那种无力感是再多金钱也无法解决的。
其他可能吞噬我们的恐惧还包括：
- 错失恐惧：害怕自己错失机会或输给别人。
- 职场转型恐惧： 大学毕业后害怕无法融入企业界和职场，因而选择逃避，盲目地在学术象牙塔中不断延续学业。这本质上是一种逃避现实。
- 遭配偶遗弃或背叛的恐惧： 随着年龄渐长，害怕被伴侣离弃，这种心理让我们变得缺乏安全感，进而多疑且焦虑。缺乏安全感是情感上最可怕的敌人。
- 老年被子女遗弃的恐惧： 害怕老无所依，甚至嫉妒子女对他们配偶的关爱，从而导致恶劣的婆媳或翁婿关系。
- 养老金匮乏的恐惧： 因着生活成本不断上涨和通货膨胀，忧虑自己没有足够的资金维持退休生活。
- 患上慢性疾病的恐惧： 害怕生病，以至于对身体的每一点症状都风声鹤唳。由于看了、听了太多别人的经历，甚至连医学专家的诊断也开始怀疑。
- 对死亡的恐惧： 生老病死是生命的必然规律，人人都会变老，也终将离世。
- 而人所面临的最大恐惧，是将来的某一天在审判之日，面对面遇见那位圣洁、公义且正直的创造主上帝。
我们必须清楚知道，恐惧是魔鬼的作为；它绝非源于神，神也绝不会用恐惧来教训我们。 我们之所以能践踏并胜过一切的忧虑与焦虑，是因为神赐给我们的是刚强、仁爱、谨守的心。因此，当魔鬼企图用恐惧来使我们动弹不得、将我们捆绑时，让我们拿起权柄，去持守那原本属于我们的应许！
一旦我们对付了“惧怕人”以及“害怕被拒绝”的心理，我们的心就会得着真正的平安，因为我们只会更在乎神如何看待我们。 至于对未知的恐惧，神要我们将一切的忧虑卸给祂，因为祂顾念我们。我们可以得着全然的安慰，因为神与我们同在，且帮助我们。
默想：你是否正将你的恐惧全然交托给神，并深信祂“与我们同在且帮助我们”而满有信心地生活？此时此刻，祂正呼召你将哪些恐惧彻底卸在祂的脚前？
讲章系列：你是否将你的忧虑交托给主？