Episode 29: Tackling Fear Part 1 - The Basics
Welcome to Going in Grace, a podcast where we go beyond simply understanding God's word. We explore how to live it out daily, making a meaningful impact in our lives and the lives of those around us. Let's tune in to this week's episode. Today, we will begin a series entitled Tackling Fear. In this four part series, we'll unpack what fear is, how it shows up as anxiety, how to gain deliverance, and finally, how to fear proof our lives.
Dr. Brandi Stover:I am very passionate about this topic because I went through a period in my teenage years where I was bound by a spirit of fear. This experience has caused me throughout my life to be able to recognize fear in myself and in others. There have been various experiences and levels of deliverance from fear throughout my life. I have seen fear bounce from one area of my life, for example my health, to other areas, like the welfare of my children or God's provision for my family. Uncontrolled fear can be a nagging and invasive intruder that will turn you every way except loose.
Dr. Brandi Stover:It must be fought persistently and aggressively to maintain our total well-being. Over the past five years, I have watched people become gripped by fear more than at any other time in my life. The world we live in is tumultuous, and without a true understanding of fear and the freedom Jesus Christ provides us from it, we will live defeated lives. We can't accept that. John 8:36 Amplified Classic
Dr. Brandi Stover:says: "So if the Son liberates you, makes you free men, then you are really and unquestionably free."
Dr. Brandi Stover:We must fight for our freedom, and the area where we will focus on our freedom for the next four weeks is fear, because it is the root of many of the challenges we face. Today, let's begin with the basics. What exactly is fear? And most importantly, what's the difference between normal, natural fear and the spirit of fear that the Bible warns us about. Natural fear is a part of God's design.
Dr. Brandi Stover:Fear is built into our wiring for good reasons. It alerts us to danger. Imagine that you were taking a walk when suddenly you see a large upset bobcat heading your way. Your body's natural response will be to freeze momentarily while you assess the potential for danger. Then it will send blood and vital resources to your heart, eyes, and other areas of your body that will be essential to you escaping danger.
Dr. Brandi Stover:Natural fear can protect us from real harm. Psalm 56:3 says, "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You." That verse teaches us that normal fear drives us to faith, not to paralysis. When we feel alarmed, the proper response is to look up to God, not run away from Him. But the Bible also warns us of a corrupt spirit, the spirit of fear.
Dr. Brandi Stover:2 Timothy 1:7 declares, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." This verse emphasizes that while feelings of fear are natural, a spirit of fear, characterized by timidity and cowardice, is not from God. This spirit of fear aims to rob us of our peace, to paralyze our faith, and to isolate us from God and community. Have you ever seen someone afraid of ordinary things? This is more than a natural fear, and it often has spiritual bondage at its core.
Dr. Brandi Stover:To help demonstrate the difference between natural fear and the spirit of fear, consider these key distinctions: Regular fear is a God designed warning bell meant to keep you in safety. The spirit of fear is a demonic tactic meant to enslave, discourage, and limit you. Regular fear drives you to trust and prayer, while the spirit of fear drives you to shame, isolation, and unbelief. When dealing with regular fear, the remedy is trust in God. Psalm 56:3 is what identifies for us what we must do.
Dr. Brandi Stover:When we're dealing with the spirit of fear, we must resist the devil. That's in James 4:7, And then we need to stand on 2 Timothy 1:7. The spirit of fear doesn't go away unless it is made to. So when we are being attacked by that spirit, we have to use our God given authority, the believer's authority, to do something about it.
Dr. Brandi Stover:Resist doesn't mean hide it means fight. Let's take a look at some examples of fear in the scripture to determine if we are seeing a natural fear or the spirit of fear being demonstrated. In Exodus 3, we see the account of God speaking to Moses from the burning bush. Verses three through six read: "Then Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn. So when the Lord saw that He turned aside to look, God called to Him from the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses!
Dr. Brandi Stover:And He said, Here I am. Then He said, Do not draw near this place take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God." Moses was operating in natural fear.
Dr. Brandi Stover:He knew that it was dangerous to be in the presence of God because God is holy. So Moses naturally hid his face. However, when God continued to speak to him, he remained present and engaged with God. He may have been trembling, but as God guided him, he responded and continued to approach God. We later see that Moses' relationship with God gets to a place where they speak face to face.
Dr. Brandi Stover:We see that in Numbers 12:8. In Daniel six, we see the story of the plot against Daniel. The governors and satraps of the Medes and Persians worked together to get the king to sign a decree that could get Daniel killed. These men were bound by a spirit of fear. They feared a loss of power, since they clearly saw that Daniel was favored by the king and made a governor over them.
Dr. Brandi Stover:By operating in a spirit of fear, the very thing they feared came upon them. They created and participated in evil plots to kill an innocent man and ended up being consumed by the lions in their own wicked plan. This is typical of the spirit of fear. By operating in the spirit of fear, instead of resisting the devil with your spiritual weapons, we are not protected. Cooperating with the devil only attracts the very thing that we don't want our destruction.
Dr. Brandi Stover:I want you to take a moment to consider your own life. Have you allowed a spirit of fear to operate in and through you? Are you resorting to evil tactics in the name of protecting yourself, protecting your family, protecting your job. Remember, when you are alarmed, pause, pray, and cast your cares. That's from one Peter five:seven.
Dr. Brandi Stover:When you sense shame, paralysis, hopelessness, renew your mind with 2 Timothy 1:7, "For we have not been given a spirit of fear, but a power of love and of a sound mind." Speak it out! God has not given me a spirit of fear. Surround fear with Scripture and community accountability. Do not tolerate fear taking hold of your life.
Dr. Brandi Stover:Next week, we'll meet fear's cousin, anxiety. How does it differ from fear, and how do we battle it with the Word of God? I look forward to discussing with you then. Until that time, let your normal fears drive you to faith and resist that means fight with your spiritual weapons the spirit of fear. You have power, you have love, and you have a sound mind in Jesus' name.
Dr. Brandi Stover:You've been listening to Going in Grace. Be sure to visit us online at brandistover.com.
