REDUCE THE NOISE OF FEAR
Fear is very noisy. It keeps talking, it keeps telling you things. Of course, it has nothing helpful or positive to say. Fear asks questions, it makes suggestions, it makes predictions about a number of negative circumstances and events. Fear twists and magnifies information. It always gives you the worst-case scenario.
When the disciples were with Jesus in a boat and there was a severe storm with waves crashing into the boat, fear told them they were going to die even though no such thing was going to happen. They told Jesus ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ (Matthew 8:25). On hearing this, Jesus asked them a question. ‘Why are you so fearful?’ (Matthew 8:26). In other words, why do you believe that you will drown, you will go down, you will die, you won’t survive this situation? Why are you thinking of the worst? Why are you faint-hearted? Why are you easily frightened?
When you wake up in the morning, fear says what if you get knocked down by a truck as you go to work? When you listen to the weather forecast and hear there’s a slight chance of showers today, fear immediately magnifies the phrase ‘slight chance of showers’ and before you know it, you are thinking of a heavy downpour with thunderstorms that can damage your house and possessions. When you receive a letter of termination of employment, fear tells you, you are in for a financial crisis, you won’t get another job. When there is a virus or contagious disease going round, without you coming in contact with anyone with the virus or any test being run, fear tells you that you have the disease, that’s why you have been feeling this way. When your husband is on a phone call, even though it is your pastor he is talking with, fear tells you your husband is cheating on you. When you look out of your window at night and see a tree, even though it’s the same tree that has always been in front of your house, fear tells you that’s an armed robber pointing a gun at you.
A fearful heart and mind can keep us from enjoying the life of victory Christ died to give us. When you are caught up in a storm; have just lost a loved one, your job is on the line, there are misunderstandings that are tearing you and your spouse apart, you are battling with a long-standing ailment, or are in your 40s and still single or have been waiting for years for a child, it’s not easy in such situations not to get worried and fearful. There will always be situations that will make us feel afraid, but it is possible for us not to be governed and controlled by fear. Fear is a spirit (2 Timothy 1:7), a spirit that needs to rebuked and silenced or it will keep making noise in our ears, it will keep painting scary pictures in our minds that can keep us from stepping out in faith to do the things God wants us to.
We can’t allow fear take over our lives and rob us of our peace and joy. To silence fear, we need to fix our gaze on Jesus and meditate on His promises (Hebrews 12: 2). What God says He will do, should be louder than the noise of fear. Even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death; you are in a hopeless situation, know that God is there with you. Even when we can’t see any physical signs to convince us that God is working in our situation, we must hold on to God and believe God’s enduring Word which tells us there’s no cause for alarm, no need to panic for God is with us and will help us out of any trouble and situation. ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10). No matter how bad the situation we find ourselves in, let’s not doubt the Word and power of God, let’s not live in fear. God still performs miracles, God can turn an impossible situation around.
Don’t allow fear drum in your ears and get you anxious and agitated. Reduce the noise of fear by casting your cares and concerns on the Lord (Psalm 55:22), dwelling in God’s presence not on problems (Psalm 91:9-10). When you are afraid, run to God. The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower for the righteous to run into and be kept safe and find peace when there are fears and uncertainties (Proverbs 18:10, Isaiah 26:3).
There isn’t a single bird in the sky that you will find fussing, fretting and worrying about whether they will fall or where their next meal is coming from (Matthew 6:26). Don’t allow the noise of fear intimidate you and work you up. If God doesn’t overlook the birds, He will attend to you, He will take care of that situation, He will do what’s best for you. Fear not!
PHOTO CREDIT: Ben Hope on Unspalsh
