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Everyone has some kind of fear. “Fear not, Do not be afraid” is probably the single most difficult command in the bible. We may not have killed, robbed or committed adultery, but we all are certainly guilty of this one command. No wonder then, there is so much on the internet that says that the phrase ‘FEAR NOT’ or ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID’ appears 366 times in the Bible, because it is believed that God knew that this was our weakest area that the devil would attack. So these 366 times is like giving us a reminder every day, including one for a leap year too. But if you really take count, there are actually more than 366 “Fear not’s” or related terms in the Bible! Thank God for this, because we need to be reminded to trust God not just every day, but every moment of the day- as it is Him that runs the universe and our lives- not us! Worry is the result of fear ... lots of fear! Fear about loss, fear about security, fear about safety, fear about tomorrow- People are worried about losing a loved one, losing a job, sicknesses, diseases or viruses, neighbours, insects, fear of making a presentation in public…Well the list could go on! Fear is one of Satan’s most popular weapons that he uses against us, filling us with worry, anxiety, fear, torment and so forth. However, the Word of God in 2 Timothy 1.7 tells us very clearly “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. John 10.10 further tells us that the enemy, the devil is that thief who only comes to steal, kill and destroy…and he does it in that order, first starting with your peace and ultimately ending to destroy you! That is what he is doing right now to the entire world. Worry has never changed anything. It is worthless. If you think worrying about the viruses in the air, will save you from it or worrying about your kids will make them safer- it is only a false form of control. It has no effect. Worriers are always going back and forth over an issue they are worried about- one minute they decide one thing and something else the next! Worry is like a rocking chair-it only tosses you back and forth. You can’t change the past, you can’t control the future, and in the process you will only mess up today. In James 1:8 we read that “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways...” Worry is focusing on me and my fears – and not God. It’s like telling God, let me do your work of being in control! Over 2000 years ago, on a Resurrection Sunday Morning, these same words ‘Do not be afraid’ were uttered to the 3 women who came to the tomb of Jesus (Matthew 28:10) God knew that the death of Jesus and their future could evoke fear of what is to come. The angel sent by God invites them to COME and SEE the place where He had been laid. To come and see for themselves that He was there, but is NOW no longer there. They are then instructed to GO and TELL the disciples. They can’t linger long there or keep this incredible news to themselves: ‘Jesus WAS crucified, but He IS Risen!’ They must go and tell others. And in the going, they are told they will SEE HIM, just as He promised. The tomb may have looked empty…but it was full of hope, potential, possibility and new beginnings. The empty tomb wasn’t the end of a story, but a new beginning. It was a new beginning for the 3 women. It was a new beginning for the disciples. It was a new beginning for the kingdom of God. And it IS a new beginning for you and me- for all of us! As the song so beautifully says: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, just because He lives! This little Book: ‘Building Faith over Fear! Face Everything And Rise with JESUS!’ is to help you do just that by providing you the right biblical ways of handling fear and enabling you Rise with Jesus!
