E25 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Defeat fear - with Faith

Hope’s Harbor

Gritty Bible Devotions

Episode #25

Title: Defeat Fear – With Faith

Date: October 25, 2021

Contact: info@hopesharbor.net

Key verse(s): 2 Timothy 1:7 - For GOD has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear: Deilia di-lee'-ah From G1169; timidity: - fear.

G1169 Deilos di-los'nFrom δέος deos (dread); timid, that is, (by implication) faithless: - fearful.

Intro: In the key verse Paul is writing from a dungeon cell, chained. He knows his life is short and early on in this letter wrote to Timothy words of encouragement.

Devotion focus: No fear, but Faith

In Episode 24 I went over the need to exercise the faith we claim to have. I suggested areas of ministries to become involved with by interacting through email, or direct serving, or supporting.

These are a great way to engage your faith, your belief in GOD’s Word where it tells us to love one another.

But what about the day-to-day life of faith. What does it look like to exercise faith? Well, one way is when fear raises its ugly head.

Now listen, occasional fear is part of this fallen world and sometimes circumstances are fearful – I don’t care how brave we are.

What I want to show is how to practice faith when normal fears surface so that when larger issues emerge bringing fearful consequences with them we can function in the power of faith.

I’ll use an example from my rock climbing and repelling days. The first time I repelled off a building was during SWAT training. First was classroom instruction then application. We went to the training center’s fire tower. This was a building in which firefighters trained in. I think they set fire to it somehow and firefighter recruits had to go in. While it was burning. Crazy.

Anyway, we roped into a figure-8 piece of metal attached to a harness type of belt around our waists, stood up on the edge of the roof, turned around backward, yes, backward, and were told to lean back against the rope and trust our gear. This was because when the command to go was given we were to go over the edge with only the rope holding us, then descend the side of the building while kind of standing against the wall and let the rope slip through the figure-8.

Now I’m not afraid of heights per se. But it took everything I had to trust that rope. It took faith.

Without exercising faith I suppose my SWAT days would’ve been over. Eventually, I came to enjoy repelling and with time got to the point I would run backward and leap off the building.

It was maybe a year later one of the SWAT members took me climbing in NE Georgia. We hiked to the bottom of a very high cliff, he gave me a few brief instructions of dos & don’ts, and up we went. The route was called Digital, for whatever reason, and was 450 high. Climbing required faith in the gear, same as repelling.

The point is that when we exercise faith along with common sense, we will accomplish more than always playing it safe. Playing it safe is a plague right now in Western society.

Regardless, GOD didn’t give a spirit of fear. That came from our mortal enemy, Satan.

Paul addressed the issue of fear in the key vs in 2 Timothy 1:7 – ‘For GOD has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’

‘For GOD has not given us the spirit of fear;’ – did you hear that? Fear is from the infernal realm, a fiery dart from Satan.

The verse goes on to say GOD gave us power. But, what kind of power? Spiritual power. This power enables us to love, and we have the spirit of love shed abroad on our hearts (That’s found in Romans 5:5). And even though love is an unnatural act within our fallen nature GOD has enabled us to love, and GOD gave us the bonus, the spirit of a sound mind.

I have had times when my mind was anything but sound. Some of it comes from a mental wound during childhood, but other times it was my doing because I was undisciplined in my thinking and let my thoughts run wild.

A sound mind during fearful times comes from developing a mindset focused on GOD’s sovereignty as proclaimed throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation.

If I choose to focus my mind primarily on GOD’s Word and keep to a minimum the input of data from the world, the flesh, and the devil, then I strengthen my mind against the onslaught of a determined enemy. This is where the battle for my mind occurs and where I strive to fulfill Romans 12:2 – ‘ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’

If you work at transforming your mind, this in turn strengthens your faith.

(In E26 I’ll look at what it takes to transform our minds.)

Listen, in this current state of creation fear is common and it’s normal to feel fear at times. Again, it’s part of our fallen state of being.

However, you and I must choose whether we will allow fear to have its way unchecked, or check it, and deflect it with the truth found in GOD’s Word, using the Word of GOD as a shield. This refers back to Ephesians 6:16 – ‘above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.’ Did you notice with the shield of faith we can quench ALL the fiery darts of Satan? These are infernal thoughts usually involving self-hatred and/or condemnation.

This is where reading the Bible every day is so important. The Bible contains the living Word of GOD Almighty, His personal Words and promises to you and me, and is effective in resisting our old nature and Satanic influences.

Furthermore, if I don’t store up GOD’s Word against the day of battle, it’s like a soldier running out of rounds in a firefight.

Here’s the Action to Consider: When fear makes itself known, and it’s usually the feeling first, then the thought that comes, and at this point don’t play ‘What if,’ but rather find the opposing truth to whatever circumstances, or thought, or person is causing fear. It’s more powerful if you can speak a verse out loud.

Also, on 3x5 cards write verses of power found in the Word of GOD and keep these handy. Pull them out and, again, if possible read them out loud, then keep your mind focused on that verse and others, and refuse to consider fear’s accusations.

Look in the concordance for words like power, faith, war, victory, etc.

Summary: Developing faith in GOD’s Word takes time and practice. It is a mental game to be sure. Win the battle there and making decisions that cause fear will become easier. Again, some fear is normal. But GOD expects us to overcome inordinate fear. The fear that causes us to avoid people, places, and things.

I’m not talking about people, places, or things posing a real danger to us. But rather suffocating fear is usually instilled in us as children and manifests itself as anxiety, sometimes to the point of a panic attack.

If you experience crippling fear or phobias, please seek professional counseling if at all possible.

Next week’s devotion: Since I mentioned resisting fear is a mind game, Helmet of Salvation is next: Key verse Ephesians 6:17 – ‘And take the helmet of salvation.’