Colossians 3:1,2 Seek anything that is from God or related to God. Get closer to heavenly things!

Fears

We are all emotional creatures; emotions are powerful. They have the ability to drive and control. One of the strongest emotions is fear.

Am I guided by fear? We all have fears. Common fears worldwide include: pain, the unknown, disappointment, misery, loneliness, ridicule, rejection, death, and failure. These are existential fears. These fears can drive us to make decisions. Common specific fears are snakes, public speaking, heights, being in closed-in space, spiders, needles, mice, dogs, flying, thunder, going to the doctor, and the dark.

Fear produces worries, paranoia, imagination, and suspicions. It can overwhelm.

False Evidence Appearing Real

Godly fear

Godly fear is deep respect, reverence, and awe for God's authority.

Proverbs 1:7 This is a goal worth pursuing.

Godly fear is a way to not turn away from God and to be humble and hope in God's love. It requires humility, lowliness, and sensitivity of heart.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 This love drives us to do things. Respect and love drives me to action. It’s a building block for my relationship with God.

1 Peter 2:17 God can teach me and this is why I honor Him.

Psalms 112:1

Man fear

Proverbs 29:25 Like in the story of Jonah, man fear causes one to go away from God. David was fearful, but he trusted God.

John 12:42,43 Some would have followed Jesus and liked what he said, but man fear caused them to reject Jesus.

Matthew 10:28,29,30,31,32,33

The fear of being misunderstood can be, and must be, conquered.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had fear, but their fear (love) for God caused them to have courage.

Acts 5:29,30,31,32,33 Peter at the cross allowed fear to drive him away from God. Later in Peter’s life, he was in a perilous position but now he fully trusted God. He was no longer driven by fear.

Deuteronomy 31:6,7,8 At the beginning Moses was fearful; he made excuses to God. At 120 years old, Moses had learned something: Don’t fear. Trust in God.

Natural fear

Natural fear can be healthy and good. This can also be overwhelming. Do I allow this to impact my ability to follow God's instruction?

Cowardly fear

2 Timothy 1:7 This type of fear (delia) is a weakness, the fear of a coward. It can cause someone to not do what they should do for God. It is faithless.

Courage is an inner resolution to go forward despite obstacles; Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances. Courage breeds creativity; Cowardice represses fear and is mastered by it. Martin Luther King Jr.

Matthew 14:31 This verse uses a word for “doubt” that is similar to "cowardice." Peter stepped out with extreme courage, but fear overwhelmed him.

How am I handling fear? Do I give into it? Does fear cause me to turn away from people? How is fear affecting me? Am I allowing God to give me courage?