The Sum of All of
Our Fears.
by Tom
Caballes
"I
sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and
their faces shall never be ashamed."
Psalm 34:4-5 ESV
In life, there is always
something we can be afraid of – being made
redundant at work, becoming sick from a deadly
disease, being involved in a car accident,
natural calamities, financial ruin, etc. So,
how can we walk through life without giving in
to fear all the time? The key is to find THE
reason not to be afraid of – God: He knows
everything, and He is in control of
everything; if we have God in our lives, we
can fully trust Him with big and small things.
Every fear that we can have boils down to the
fear of death – but through Jesus’ death and
resurrection, we have already conquered death.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom
shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my
life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalms 27:1
ESV) If Jesus has conquered our greatest fear,
why can’t we walk and live in radiance,
without shame, and without fear?
So How Do We
Live a Faith-Filled Life and not
a Fear-filled one?
-
If we follow and obey God, know that there
is no reason for us to live in fear. What
then shall we say to these things? If God
is for us, who can be against us? He who
did not spare his own Son but gave him up
for us all, how will he not also with him
graciously give us all things? Who shall
bring any charge against God's elect? It
is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?
Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than
that, who was raised—who is at the right
hand of God, who indeed is interceding for
us. Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or
danger, or sword? (Romans 8:31-35
ESV)
- When
you commit your life to God, He makes a
two-way deal with you: You focus on
following God, and God will take care of
your life and needs. But seek first the
kingdom of God and his righteousness, and
all these things will be added to you. (Matthew
6:33 ESV) It does not mean all your prayers
will be automatically answered from now on,
but God will provide everything you need
according to His will. Believe that
God is taking care of you all the time. Turn
all your anxiety over to God because he
cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 GW)
- Even
at the darkest, saddest, and most fearful
situation, God will never abandon you. God’s
ways are not yours – And we know that
for those who love God all things work
together for good, for those who are
called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28 ESV) God can redeem your most
gruelling experiences in life for good –
because He loves you. God can turn your
saddest experiences and memories for your
good. Trust Him.
- Living
in fear of anything prevents us from loving
and serving God fully as He deserves.
Instead of living our lives in radiance and
confidence, knowing that God is always there
for us, living in fear robs us of joy,
peace, and contentment that only God can
give. Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God. And the
peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
- Know
that God has prepared for you a special
dwelling place in heaven [See John 14:2] No
matter what life throws at you, even death
itself, cannot separate you from God.
For I am sure that neither death nor
life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things
present nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height nor depth, nor anything else in
all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 ESV). So live a
life in confidence! You will, one day, win –
and your prize is an eternal life of joy and
bliss with God.
- Ultimately,
who is in control of your life – you or God?
If your life is in God’s hands, be at peace.
You are in the best place you can ever be.
God knows everything; He cares deeply for
you and will never abandon you.
Other Scripture passages:
- “Behold,
God is my salvation; I will trust, and
will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my
strength and my song, and he has become my
salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2 ESV)
- Other
Bible verses: Psalm 91: Psalm
56:3-4; Philippians 4:6; Isaiah
43:1-3
For
personal reflection or
group sharing
- In
what ways has fear prevented you from living
a full life and giving your all to
God?
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Tom
Caballes is the
National Senior
Administrator and a
National Coordinator
of the Lamb
of God, a
community of the
Sword of the Spirit
with 7 branches
located throughout
New Zealand. Tom
also leads Kairos
New
Zealand, an
outreach program for
high school,
university, and
post-university aged
people.
Tom and
his wife Mhel and
their two
daughters live in
Wellington, New
Zealand.
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