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Pastor’s Desk: Why are you so afraid?

Posted on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 7:38 pm

Minister Justin Danielson, Parkview Christian Church

What is it that you are afraid of? There are so many phobias in the world we live in. Some come from experience, and some because we don’t want to try or experience new things. Fear of spiders, snakes, flying, storms, different social environments are just a few. Another is the fear of death. The one that tops a lot of lists is the fear of public speaking.

Fear can be proper but on the other hand it can be paralyzing. Sometimes we feed off fear to get us to take the next step. Other times fear freezes us in our tracks.

The Bible is clear through the words of God and Jesus that we are to: FEAR NOT! Isaiah 42:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Philippians 4:6-7 says, “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.” These are just a few of the many Bible passages that command us not to fear.

Jesus addresses fear in Matthew 8:23-27. Soon after He preached the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus and the Disciples climbed into a boat and started to head to their next destination. While out on the sea, a storm blew in.

Sometimes they seem to just come out of nowhere. Several years ago, my brother and I were fishing in a boat on a small lake in Milan, MO, when a storm came right over the tree line. The rain came, the boat wouldn’t start, and we were getting soaked. As I was desperately scooping the water out of the boat the best I could, my brother finally got the boat to start, and we ended up making it to the boat ramp. What a relief!

For the complete column, see this week’s edition of the Centralia Fireside Guard.