Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Freedom BEYOND Our Fears

Why does fear seem to be at the surface in every person’s life?

Fear lives in and through politics. That fear of who is going to be our new president in the next election. A Fear of having the ‘wrong’ person in office and taking control of this country and putting many lives in danger. A fear that lives in and among our households; a suspicion of a spouse cheating, a fear for our children’s safety in our public schools, and a fear of not being accepted by others. Fears of the unknown or losing a loved one, (a fear of death). Fear of losing a job, fear of not having enough money to pay the bills, or having enough to even feed your household. The list goes on and on. You know, I think fear is the the biggest force that motivates people into doing things that they aren’t otherwise, willing or wanting to do. There is also fear formed in our local congregations. A fear that drives pastor’s and leaders to manipulate and control others to ‘pay up’ and tithe, so they, the pastors and leaders of the congregations can feed their families. They use the threat of Hell and use ‘alter calls’ to bring people to a fearful God. Any so called sin, and every wrong doing imaginable to enable others to fall into fear of what will happen to them if they don’t confess their sins. Fear is a force that strives on hurting and destroying the hearts of people. For some, fear rides on the bases of their entire lives. It has a way of controlling our thoughts and sometimes even our actions.

I was listening to a pod-cast from Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings on The God Journey called, Freedom From Fear. They have some awesome conversations about how fear manipulates our thoughts even on how we perceive God in our lives. Some see God as an angry God, who is waiting for anyone to slipup. A God who doesn’t see His people through loving eyes, and uses fear and judgments to push and manipulate people into following Him. Some actually believe that God is a conditional loving God, who only justifies His love on the good a person does compared to how much bad a person does, and how some think God sees people from a Superior position. Yes God is Superior to me, BUT he came to earth to show me that He has felt the same as I and loves me enough to die for me through everything He has gone through. God in fact, desires a relationship with me for no reason other than the reason that this fearless God who wants nothing more than to love ME, and wants to be my Daddy, and in that, He allows fear to have NO bases in my life. Yeah, I have moments that I am fearful of things; I am a person just like anyone else. However, knowing where I stand with Father I know and understand that Love conquers fear and therefore, fear has no ability to be in my life. It sure would like too, but it can’t because Father has won me through His undivided, and unconditional Love that will last for eternity, and that my friend, is Freedom.

6 comments:

Aida said...

Nicki, great post and one I can really relate to.

For most of my life, I've been controlled by fear. It's only within the last few years that I've been experiencing freedom but I still have to deal with fear. It still tries to enter in and I sometimes give in to it before I recognize it.

Early this week, we had a really bad incident with one the students and parent at the public high school where I work. Later, fear tried to enter in. With all of the violence we've been experiencing at our schools, trouble is always a possibilty. Fear began to put ugly pictures in my head and it took a few minutes before I recognized it and refused to let it in.

Instead of allowing fear to grow, I had to think on what was true. Truth was that an incident had occurred and our on-campus police officer took care of it. Even more important is the fact that I have a Daddy who loves me and can be trusted even in the worst situations. That's truth and I purposely had to focus my attention on that and, when I did, fear left.

Fear is a tyrant and will seek to control our lives and decisions. Unfortunately, as you said, others have found fear to be an ally as they attempt to control and dominate. Scripture says that perfect love casts out fear and, as I've come to know and experience Father's perfect I see fear losing it's hold over me.

BTW, if all goes well, I'm going to meet Wayne next week-end. He's coming to S. C. for the first time and some of us will be gathering in Greenville. I'm excited. I can't wait. I've been involved with his ministry 2-3 years and I've prayed that I would get to meet him and it looks like it'll finally be happening.

Aida

Bino M. said...

Great post Nicole!

Fear is the root cause of many problems we face in our day to day life. Fear is the root cause of insecurity. Fear the root cause of anger. Fear is the root cause of hatred etc.

I have struggled a lot with the problem of anger in my life. It made me miserable. As I found, the root cause of my anger is fear and there is only one thing which casts away fear which is the perfect love it started doing some work in my heart. There is only person who can love us with a perfect love, that is Christ Jesus. His love started removing fear from me and it eventually helped to deal with my anger problem. Even today I get angry once in a while and immediately I know that it is fear what is causing it and fear comes from error so I replace that error with truth. And what is the truth? It is nothing but the fact that Jesus loves me with a perfect love. I have heard some one say, the opposite of love is not hate, but it is fear. 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the place where we see such love (Agape Love). It says, His love never fails us!

Joel Brueseke said...

Nicole... Great post and great comments here!

As you've pointed out, and also in the comments, fear is often the root cause of some of the things we do. Things we wouldn't do if not for fear. Fear that forgets that God is in control. Fear that forgets that we live in temporary tents (bodies), while our spirits have eternal life and nothing can really harm us. As Bino said, anger stems from fear. Frustration stems from fear. So many things come out of fear. And again as has been said here, fear is cast out by Perfect Love. Fear is error, and error is replaced by truth.

No wonder Paul told us to dig our roots deeply into Jesus - who Himself is Truth and Love. :)

Nicole said...

Hey Guys!

Wonderful comments. I think my posts are getting to me. Today I was tested to the point of wanting to run away. Fear was taking control and deriving me into deep dark depression. (I am a drama queen) My husband and I are in a lot of financial crap. We are broke as a joke and can't do anything about for number of reason's, so my initial action was to think of the worse case scenario and FREAK OUT! I realized during the problems that were occuring is how I was losing sight of Father and not trusting that He has a plan for us. I was fearful like I have never been before. I immediately remembered my post about fear, and cried out to Abba. He immediately comforted me when I finally woke up from that distructive path that I was on. It was, to say the least, a good experience and I was wanting to do what I have been saying in my posts, but sometimes it is a lot harder when it is being done than when it is said.

Crazy how that happens HUH?

In Freedom, Nicole!

Aida said...

Ouch, Nicki. I can sure relate to the testing part. I've found, however, that I don't really know a truth until I have to walk it out but isn't it great that our Daddy gave you the answer ahead of time. Like that old song says, "He's an ontime God. Yes, he is. He may not come when you want him but he'll be there just in time."

Aida

bob said...

Hi All

We have to remember where fear comes from and who wants us to be afraid.
If he can make you fear, then the first thing we will do is start to try and fix the problem ourselves i.e. not depend on God. When that happens, he has us in his control.
You did the right thing Nicole, cry out to God, tell Him how you feel (afraid) and then let Him know you trust Him.
Like the man said to Jesus, "Lord I believe (trust), please help me with my unbelief (fear)".

Trusting Him
Bob

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