Fear Not! – Dr. Paul Dhinakaran

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
Almost every day I talk to someone who is afraid or anxious. Maybe, today you are afraid of what people may think of you, being far away from home, of public speaking, flying, spiders, failure or rejection, of poverty, losing a loved one, disease, pain or death. The good news for you is that the Lord says to you, “Fear Not”. Such an assurance is needed today for those who live in the grip of needless fear. Fear is not true. It removes our eyes from God and makes us see our problems that threaten us. May be your fear has a cause but it need not have an impact on how you live. It does not need to dictate how things should happen in your life. With God beside you, you can rule out fear.

“Fear not!” These were the very first words of the Gospel with which an angel cheered the shepherds who shook with fright on the first Christmas night. “Be not afraid!” – These were the very first words that the risen Christ spoke to the women who sought Him on the first Easter morning in the grave where He had been laid. There once was this criminal who had committed a crime. He was sent to the king for his punishment. The king told him he had a choice between two punishments. He could be hung by a rope or take what’s behind the big, dark, scary, mysterious iron door. The criminal quickly decided on the rope. As the noose was being slipped on him, he turned to the king and asked: “By the way, out of curiosity, what’s behind that door?” The king laughed and said: “You know, it’s funny, I offer everyone the same choice, and nearly everyone picks the rope. There is freedom behind the door, but it seems most people are so afraid of the unknown that they immediately take the rope.” Yes, dearly beloved, we too fear the future as to how things might change and spend our time not being fruitful.

Fear paralyses us but the phrase fear not occurs 366 times in the Bible. God has included one even for the leap year so that there would never be a moment or reason to feel fearful. The best cure for such baseless fear is to trust in God’s benevolence and the knowledge of what you have in Christ. You may say, “I am fearful. How can I avoid it?” Beloved, the Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind. So, it is meaningless to say “I am afraid” when you do not have to be afraid. Speak words of faith and courage. Go through this day with the boldness of a lion. You are the child of the Lion of Judah!.

Prayer:
Loving heavenly Father,

I thank You for dispelling my fear through this truth. Thank You for giving me a spirit of love, power and of sound mind. Let Your words be written on my heart so that I will be strengthened to face my fears with power. Remove every fear from my heart and mind. Also help me to relieve others from their fear and distress through this beautiful truth.

This I ask in Jesus’ name,

Amen.