\u201cFear not. Just believe.\u201d You don\u2019t have to take it from me. Take it from Jesus. When word came back that Jairus\u2019s daughter, whom He had promised to heal, had died, people were understandably upset. \u201cDo not be afraid any longer,\u201d He said. \u201cOnly believe.\u201d (Matthew 5:36)<\/p>\n
Evidently \u201cFear not\u201d or \u201cDo not be afraid\u201d is one of the most frequent refrains in the Bible. Jesus says it, God says it, the angels proclaim it. Why? Because people back then, like people today (me, for instance!) get caught up in waves of fear.<\/a><\/p>\n \tNotice: JavaScript is required for this content.<\/p>\n \/* FORM STYLES *\/<\/p>\n #nf-form-5-cont { \/* FIELDS STYLES *\/<\/p>\n .nf-form-content .nf-field-container #nf-field-27-wrap { We desperately need that heavenly assurance. How do we get it? See what the Good Book says:<\/p>\n 1) When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.<\/em><\/strong> (Psalm 56:3). The Psalmist has it right. The Psalmist knows what it is to be afraid and what to do about it.<\/a> Sometimes I\u2019ll just repeat that key word here. Trust, trust, trust. Trust God, not all those naysayers.<\/p>\n Avoid the news for a day or two.<\/a> What\u2019s the best way to get someone to log on and read about the latest developments? Scare them. That seems to work pretty well for digital traffic numbers. Guess what? The Good News is not like that at all. Put your trust in that.<\/p>\n 2) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.<\/em><\/strong> (Philippians 4:6-7). Let God know about those fears. <\/a>Don\u2019t edit them out of your prayers. And then add that extra element that Paul suggests here: thanksgiving.<\/p>\n Try writing down those things you\u2019re grateful for. Don\u2019t stop. Keep writing. Once when a fit of depression had gotten the worst of me, I took out a pen and a piece of paper and wrote a list of things I was grateful for.<\/a> By the time I got to 20 or 30, I was in a better frame of mind.<\/p>\n It\u2019s called praying with a pencil. Or pen. Even better than typing on your computer.<\/p>\n 3) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.<\/em><\/strong> (1 John 4:18). What is the opposite of fear? Love.<\/a> It doesn\u2019t help me much to tell myself, \u201cStop worrying, Rick. Fear not.\u201d I need to add this extra element, something to replace the fretting, fearful mind.<\/p>\n That\u2019s exactly what Jesus seems to urge when He tells the people, \u201cOnly believe.\u201d<\/a> He\u2019s giving us a key to banish the fears. Belief. Faith. Love. Contemplating God\u2019s love. Let it embrace you.<\/p>\n Seem too abstract? Look at the good people God has put in your life to show you love. To give you love. To model love. Hold that love in your heart. It can help you cast out fear.<\/p>\nCommunity Newsletter<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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