Don't Be Afraid

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking with a few friends when the topic of fear came up.  As we talked, I had a difficult time recognizing my own fears. Through the course of that conversation my friends helped me identify and admit fear in my life.  Surprisingly, it helped me to be more relaxed and secure.  What I discovered as a result of the help of these friends and my wife Messer, was my walk with God wasn’t producing the necessary faith to calm my fears and silence my inner storms. My friends helped me understand that my time with God needs to produce the kind of faith that helps me not be afraid, but rather, believe.  This reminds me of a great scripture.

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearingwhat they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Mark 5:35-36 (NIV 2011)

Can you imagine how Jairus was feeling?  He got his hopes up that Jesus would heal his daughter.  In a matter of minutes, he gets the news that his daughter is dead.  Aware of the news, Jesus, lifted his spirit telling him, “don’t be afraid; just believe”.  How many of us need to hear these words, “don’t be afraid”.  When it comes to our health, our kids, our future…don’t be afraid.

• What fears do you need to identify so you can believe?
• What relationship loss have you experienced that has caused you to not believe?
• How can your times with God give you the courage to overcome your fears?

Things you can do:
1.  In your times with God, Identify your fears  Psalms 139
-Fear of the unexpected (Mark 4:35-37)
-Fear of being known  (1 John 1:5-10)
-Fear of Rejection  (Mark 15:1-15)
-Fear of failure (Proverbs 13:12)

2.  Pray to become fearless
-Silencing your fear (Mark 4:38-39)
-Facing your fears (Mark 4:40-41)
-Overcoming your fears (1 John 4:18)