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Fear Not!
Lesson Eight

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PAUSE this video and read Chapter Eight of your textbook: Do Not Be Afraid! - God Is Bigger Than Our Fear. Be sure to pray the prayer at the end of the chapter.

In Chapter Eight, you read about Ten Truths to overcoming fear. Let’s briefly look at them.

1. Do Not Be Afraid

God knows that we struggle with fear. Jesus commands not to be afraid. If Jesus gives us a command, we know, at least, two things:

A. It must be possible to achieve

B. He has provided everything we need in order to achieve it.

God does not give commands to frustrate us with their impossibility. He gives commands for our own good. God knows the destructive and paralyzing power of fear. His command also carries His power.

2. God Cares For Us

We must have faith in God’s love and care for us. We learn to rest in Him by turning over our fears to Him. The Cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love for us. Since He loved us enough to sacrifice His beloved Son to deliver us from sin, He will deliver us from fear.

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Rom. 8:32, NIV

3. Jesus Gives Us Peace

Jesus led a life full of stress and danger, yet He navigated it in perfect peace because of His confidence in His Father's love. He gives us His peace. We have the same Father Jesus has.

4. No Weapon Formed Against Us Will Prosper

Spiritual and Physical forces may array themselves against us. But as we walk with Jesus, He sees their weapons and plans fail. No weapon is successful against God. Satan found that out when he led a rebellion of angels to overthrow God. And remember, God lives inside of you.

5. There Is No Condemnation

The devil loves to drive us into fear…and then make us feel guilty because we are afraid! He tries to manipulate things so that he wins no matter what happens. As Christians, we are not to fall for his tricks. We know there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. As we continue fighting our battles with fear, we are not condemned when we fail. Unlike Adam, who ran away and hid, we run to Jesus, Who welcomes us with open arms. We receive His forgiveness and carry on. Don’t let the devil use condemnation to drive a wedge between you and Jesus. He loves you and accepts you - failures, struggles and all!

6. We Have Been Adopted Into God’s Family

You are now a child of God. Let that sink into your mind. Jesus Christ is your Elder Brother. God is your Father. They have voluntarily brought you into the family as a full son or daughter of God. You have the rights, privileges and responsibilities of the Family. Do you really think your Father and protective Elder Brother are going to let anything happen to you that they will not turn to your benefit? And if it is for your eternal benefit, why fear it?

7. All Things Work Together For Good.

This follows right along on our last point. Even when we have to go through times of suffering, it is not something to fear. Our Father and Elder Brother walk alongside us and see to it that the abundant reward that is coming far outweighs everything we go through.

8. God Extends His Hand To Us

Just like a little child can have confidence crossing the street because his hand is in his father’s hand, so we can have confidence because God is holding our hand. Sometimes we may squirm and try to get away, but He never lets go.

9. God Has Not Given Us Fear

God only gives us good gifts. He gives us every good gift that we need. If it is not from God, we don’t need it or want it. Fear does not come from God, so let’s not accept it! Stamp it return to sender…and let the devil receive his fear back! He is the one who is to be afraid of the sons and daughters of the Living God!

10. There Is No Fear In Love

Love is the antidote to fear. First, we focus on loving Jesus and on His love for us. But secondly, we recognize that one component of fear is that it focuses on ourselves and how problems or potential situations affect us. To combat this, we look at how we can show the love of Christ to others. Perhaps it is doing janitorial duty at the church, maybe it is volunteering at a hospital or community service centre, maybe it is taking a meal to a lonely neighbour or an overworked mother. Look around and see how you can show love to someone to make their day a little brighter.

Read Matt 14:27-33.

Peter was a professional fisherman. He had a history with water. Every time he had put his foot on it, his foot had always gone through it. He, in the midst of his fear, dared to step out. Although he takes a lot of heat for sinking, he was the only disciple with the courage to get out of the boat!

Like us, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he succeeded. Walking on water was impossible, but he did it. Then his mind began to overrule his faith. He realized that he had no control in this situation. He forgot, like we do, that although he had no control, Jesus was in perfect control. His fear caused him to doubt, destroying the faith necessary for the miracle. However, when he began to sink, he knew what to do. He called out to Jesus. When things seem overwhelming—instead of trying to fix the impossible ourselves—we need to call out to Jesus. When we do, we will see His hand extended. He will lift us, and we will walk back with Him to the boat. Jesus didn’t carry him back. He walked. And you, too, can walk over every fear in your life with Jesus.

FootPrints Sequel

Return to the Lessons.

Assignment

1. Memorize Luke 12:22-34.

2. Do a Devotional Meditation on Luke 12:22-34.

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