Today we begin our second week of our four-week series titled “Fear Not”. Last week we talked about healthy and unhealthy fear and the importance of recognizing the difference so that we can respond appropriately.
We learned that God, “…did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” Today we are going to be hearing again from the Apostle Paul as we go a step further in learning how to respond appropriately to unhealthy fear.
For many of us fear is an ever-ready responses to the troubles of this life. It is so deeply ingrained in our thinking that you could say fear has become a habit for most of us.
It’s like when two gas company service men were out checking meters, and parked their truck at the end of the alley. Then, they worked their way to the other end.
At the last house, a woman looking out her kitchen window, watched the men as they checked her gas meter.
As they finished the check, the older man challenged his younger co-worker to a foot race down the alley back to the truck.
As they came running up to the truck, they realized that the lady from the last house was huffing and puffing right behind them.
They stopped and asked her what was wrong. Gasping for breath she said, “When I see two gas men running full speed away from my house, I figured I had better run too.
The good news is that we can all run full speed to develop new habits to replace our old habit of fear.
At the end of his letter to the Philippian church, the Apostle Paul gives numerous exhortations. There are 2 verses in particular that are important for today … we heard them earlier in our first lesson this morning.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
I suspect you are thinking about now that living a life COMPLETELY free from ALL fear sounds too good to be true.
Perhaps you think Paul sounded a bit delusional when he said, “Do not be anxious about anything…”
In fact, you might be thinking that Paul has never seen rush hour traffic, or had a mortgage or rent to pay. He never lived with social media, healthcare deductibles, or had his bank account hacked? He does not have any idea how difficult and troublesome it is to live in today’s society.
While it is true that Paul lived in a very different time and culture, and experienced life in very different ways than we do today, it’s also true that He just might know what he’s talking about.
Think back to our second lesson today from 2 Corinthians. What did we hear about Paul’s life?
“Five times I received … 39 lashes … 3 times I was beaten with rods … once pelted with stones … 3 times shipwrecked … been in danger from rivers … bandits … fellow Jews … Gentiles … false believers. I have … often gone without sleep … known hunger and thirst … have often gone without food … been cold and naked…” 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
I think we can all agree that Paul has more experience than any of us with trials and burdens. He’s had ample opportunity to be scared out of his mind and to work through fear.
Where do you think Paul’s strength came from to see him through all those life trials? Obviously, it came from our Lord Jesus Christ … our crucified and resurrected Savior. We can exhibit the same strength to get through all our fears if we but strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ ALONE for our salvation.
In thinking about Paul’s life experiences, this declaration that Paul made is rather remarkable…
“…I have learned the SECRET of being content in any and every situation.” (Philippians 4:12)
So, Paul knew the SECRET of always being content … content in every situation.
Let’s begin to unpack Paul’s SECRET with this thought … we should give all our fears to God.
Give it ALL to God
It certainly sounds too simple, too Christian. I know it feels like the answer should be more complicated for such a complex and destructive problem as fear. But I also know it is true.
The secret that Paul learned about fear is that it BELONGS in the hands of God – not in your hands.
The SECRET is gratitude-laced PRAYER in every circumstance you find yourself in.
It is not that fear doesn’t exist, it’s that fear has a proper place. THE DIFFICULTY of course is developing the habit in which you place any troublesome circumstances into the hands of God INSTEAD OF holding onto them in your hands.
Let me say that last part again … the difficulty is developing the habit in which you place any troublesome circumstances into the hands of God. So, first, we need to do what Paul did … give all our fears to God.
Secondly, we need to Make Our Requests Known
One of the things I love about God is that He is never surprised about the way you feel. How could He be? Think about it for a moment … He formed you, He knit you together in the womb, He numbered your days, and He knows every hair on your head.
And I can guarantee you that does not think your irrational fear of clowns is silly, or that your anxiety about getting cancer means you somehow have less faith then others.
But I also know He wants a REAL, LIVE relationship with you. And that can only come from you talking to Him. A few moments ago we heard this…
“…in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Let’s take a few moments and practice this prayer sequence and prayer content that God gave us through Paul.
Your prayer and request might sound something like this…
“Thank you, Lord, for the home we have. Thank you for providing shelter, warmth, and protection from the sun and rain. I don’t know how we’re going to pay the mortgage this month, but I know you do. Please calm our hearts and guide our steps. Amen.”
“Thanksgiving, request, peace” … let’s look at a second example…
“Thank you, Lord, for my dad. I love how hard he works, and how every Saturday morning he brings donuts back for us. He’s been drinking again Lord, and I’m scared. I don’t know what’s going to happen and sometimes he gets really angry. Please help him Lord, and please keep us safe. Amen.”
“Thanksgiving, request, peace” … let’s look at a final example…
“Thank you, Lord, for the first 70 years you’ve given me. I could spend days recounting the endless blessings and grace you’ve poured over this life. I am so completely humbled by your faithfulness. I received a cancer diagnosis yesterday – I know you aren’t surprised to hear that. But I’m so scared. I’m terrified to tell the kids. I don’t know who will organize Thanksgiving or Christmas, if I’m gone. I need to know you’re here with me. And I need to know that, if I’m gone, that someone will help my husband eat 3 healthy meals a day. Thank you for hearing me Lord”
These prayers will not be the same ones that you will pray obviously, but I hope you get the idea. We present our requests, with thanksgiving, to God.
And when we are faithful to put our fear and anxiety in its PROPER place, we can EXPECT that peace will FOLLOW.
Expect Peace
As you pray through fear make sure that you simultaneously HOLD THE EXPECTATION that God will come through on His end of the deal.
King David said this in Psalm 29, “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
I cannot logically explain Paul’s verse in Philippians where he says, “…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
But I can tell you that I believe with all my heart it is possible and amazing.
Later in Philippians after Paul says he has learned the secret to BEING CONTENT in EVERY situation, he says this…
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
We all need to know and accept in faith, that in the hands of God through the power of Christ, ANYTHING is possible … including living without fear.
I know that there are some here and some listening today, who have their doubts. I know that there are some who are facing impossible situations … perhaps a terrifying medical diagnoses, or defaulting on a loan. I know that to some a life free from fear seems completely ludicrous.
All I can ask is that you commit this coming week to developing a more faith-filled response to every circumstance in your life.
As we heard earlier, “The difficulty is going to be developing the habit in which you place any troublesome circumstance into the hands of God”.
This coming week, I challenge you to begin developing this habit of letting go of fear, and EXPECT a godly peace that transcends all understanding.
I might even suggest that you take the time each morning to write out a few prayers, similar to the ones we shared earlier. Begin your prayer with thanksgiving, make your request, and then EXPECT God’s peace as a result.
There is so much unhealthy fear in our world today, and much of it for legitimate reasons. It is time that we AS believers recognize it and start PUTTING it all in its PROPER place … in the almighty and ever-capable hands of God.
AMEN – so be it – AMEN.