Sermon Reflections from When Fear Controls Us | Alex Hardt | September 7
The subject of Pastor Alex’s sermon this Sunday was one that I completely resonate with in my life. I’ve had times of great fear that led me to cling to Jesus and hold dearly to the truths Alex gave us in his sermon. What about you?
Have you had times of great fear?
Where did they lead you?
Closer or father away from God?
I pray that your fears brought you to your knees and moved you towards a closer relationship with Jesus.
I my case I was paralyzed by fear. I functioned each day by going to work and being involved in my kids’ lives. However, I had a paralyzing fear that held me in its control so that I questioned each decision and was often locked in total indecision. It was as if I could not move forward or go backward- I was stuck. I decided to turn to scripture for answers and began searching for all the places in the Bible that tell us not to fear. I had heard a sermon that piqued my interest saying there were thousands of places. I could not remember reading even one of them in all my years of study. So I began looking them up in my concordance, then went to the internet. I ended up turning my journey into a book. What I learned was that God does not want us to be fearful. Fear comes from Satan and is not from God. He wants us to look to Him and trust in Him so we can live fearlessly. Thus, I named by book Fearless Living. My journey was foundational in my faith as I discovered so many truths about God and how He wants me to live life to the fullest- without fear. As Alex said, fear locks us into our pain and binds us. Living without fear is a lifelong challenge.
So many times, scripture teaches us that God is present with us in all circumstances. God is sovereign and knows everything that happens in my life. A good example of this is the story of Hagar in Genesis 21. She was being mistreated and ran away from Abraham and Sarah. An angel of the Lord appeared to her with reassuring words and said, “Do not be afraid.” God knew who she was, where she was and what her problems were. He knows the same about us. Mary and Joseph are also examples of God’s attending presence in their lives. He appeared to each of them with words of assurance and hope. So many times we see in the stories of Jonah, Isaiah, David, Daniel, the Woman at the well, and the Apostle Paul that they were unaware of God’s presence in their lives and discovered He was there! In the Lion’s Den, at the well, and in our living rooms too. God promises in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” God keeps His promises and will be with us 24/7!
What happened when I discovered that God was with me always, He had my back covered and that I did not need to live in fear? Hope dawned fully in my life and allowed me to live freely for Him. I cling to His promises and know their truth in my heart and soul. Consider:
Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” And Isaiah 49:16 “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
How can we not have hope when we have a God who promises to help and be with us? A God who has me engraved in the palms of His hands?
Let the hope of Jesus replace any despair and or fear with joy and peace this week.
Lean into Jesus and look for places where He is providing you with hope so you may live fearlessly!
Linda
Lean into Jesus and look for places where He is providing you with hope so you may live fearlessly!
Linda
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