Psalm 56: The Fearful, Part 4

Continuing the series on fearfulness, the fourth question I want us to consider is:

Why should I work to overcome fear?

There are some of us whose who have experienced extreme forms of fear. Maybe your experience of fear is so great that it controls and limits you. For people experiencing this kind of fear, it's obvious why you want to turn away from it. If you've been crippled by an ongoing pattern of fear, I realize that a single sermon can't address all the issues you're facing. Hopefully, though, your pastor can help you work through your fear.

Most people wouldn't categorize their fear as serious. We might not even think of our thoughts and worry as being fear. We think of it as prudence—maybe even wisdom. We're so familiar with fear that we often call it "thinking" or "planning". As Ed Welch says, "Worriers are visionaries minus the optimism."

This kind of fear seems manageable, even normal. Should we even give thought to it?

I think we should. Even if you don't put your fear in the "big deal" category, I would encourage you to examine your fears and worry. What does it tell you about the focus of your heart? What does it reveal about who you're trusting in?

And here's the important question: what is fear keeping you from?

We're all going to face fear. Our goal is not a fear-free existence. But fear becomes a problem when it keeps us from doing what God wants us to do. Fear is a problem when it has more say in guiding us than God does.

So is there any place where your fear is keeping you from doing what you know God wants you to do?

て｢ Is your fear of physical harm keeping you from going on an overseas missions trip?
て｢ Is your fear of failure keeping you from stepping out in a new, spirit-inspired venture in your career?
て｢ Is your fear of rejection keeping you from pursuing marriage?
て｢ Is your fear of people's opinion holding you back from exercising spiritual gifts God has placed in you?
て｢ Is your fear about your financial future, stealing your joy in generosity?
て｢ Is your fear of your kids not turning out right causing you to parent harshly instead of with grace?
て｢ Is your fear of people's opinion keeping you from sharing the gospel with someone you love?

Do you see how fear can hinder us from the joy of obeying our King? Who are you obeying? Whose voice are you listening to? The voice of worry and fear, or the voice of your Father in Heaven who calls you to trust him and take risks for his kingdom?