We all have our fears, don’t we? Fear is a basic human emotion. Your list won’t be the same as mine, but we can all identify with some things. So, how do we break the Fear Barrier? This is the lesson taught in Genesis 15:1:
1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
This is the first time we find this great encouragement in the Bible: “Do not be afraid.” But over 300 times throughout the Scriptures, we are told “not to be afraid.” But, what do you do when your fears seem to be winning the day? What if you pray and God still hasn’t come through for you? If you are like most people, you begin to lose hope, and you wonder why you bothered to pray in the first place.
For this reason, God needed to encourage Abram not to be afraid. Notice, the text said After this… What is the writer referring to? In Chapter 14, it shares with us the battle of the kings which took Lot as a prisoner. Abram rescues Lot and restores the King of Sodom’s spoils. However, a common physical response to an emotional high is an emotional low. Abram probably began to realize what he had done and now he was afraid of retribution from the four kings. Furthermore, he also is considering his future, as he does not have a child to inherit his estate. Regardless of the reason, God knew that Abram was afraid. However, to fear is ultimately to not trust God. Many of us miss God’s blessings because of fear. We say, “I can’t do this! This is impossible!” A fearful person is an ineffective person.
So, how should we battle fear? First, we must recognize the root of fear. It is a spiritual attack. 2 Timothy 1:7 says: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. God does not give us the spirit of fear; God gives us the spirit of love and power, and of a sound mind. The Holy Spirit of God injects power, love, and a sound mind into the spirit of the believer. Next, we must rely on God’s word. This means, when faced with a choice of what God says to do and what the world says to do, we must follow the word of God without hesitation. No one knows what a day may bring. Who knows if we will all make it through the day, through this week, through this month or year? But our God is faithful in keeping every one of His promises. We must remember that fear and faith both focus on the future. However, fear will cancel out faith; but when you are faithful to God’s word, then faith will cancel out your fears.
Notice why God tells Abram not to be afraid. His message to Abram applies to us as well: I am your shield, your very great reward. The very God of heaven says that He will be our shield. This means we have a God who will protect us. This shield is omnipotent, universal, and eternal. That means God’s shield cannot be defeated under any circumstances. Therefore, we can rest in knowing what Romans 8:35 says- 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Not only is God our shield, but He is also your very great reward. How is God our reward? When God is your God, then God becomes your Provider. He can provide all your personal, private and professional needs. Therefore, you will have everything you need when you need it. But, how can you tap into these resources God has to offer? You must follow The Three Principles to Break the Fear Barrier. You can get these by liking us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FMBC.CONCORD/ or follow me on Twitter: @HerbRhedrick.
