Antidote to Fear?
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love; 1 Jn. 4: 18.
This writing is not about the reverential fear of God, which every one of us should have. But, this verse is talking about the agonizing fear, that involves torment, which in-fact can rob the well-being of our soul. This fear can rob off all the joy and confidence we have before God who love us unconditionally.
Strong's Greek: 5401. φόβος
(phobos) -- Fear, terror, reverence, …
Fear (5401
/phóbos) is commonly used in Scripture – sometimes positively (in relation to
God) but more often negatively of withdrawing from the Lord (His will).
[Fundamentally, 5401 /phóbos …[i]
If our relationship with God is marked by fear and torment, this means
we have not understood enough the love of God. This also means we have not been
perfected in His love yet! This means we are not complete in His love, and our
understanding of His love is immature.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; Matt. 22: 37.
The first and great commandment: “In respect of order, quantity, and dignity.” (Trapp)
Trusting and falling in love with God
with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength is hard but is a very beautiful
discipline. This we learn throughout our lives in varied situations, circumstances, in storms and
tempests, betrayals, false accusations, losses, other trials and in fiery
furnace experiences as well.
Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art
with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me; Psa. 23: 4.
A valley suggests a
place being hedged in and surrounded. The shadow of death,
casting its dark, fearful outline across David’s path is an example of a dark
valley. May be he is saying that all of his life is
like living under the shadow of death.
But, the beautiful, marvelous thing he experienced was the conscious presence of the LORD as his shepherd that makes his path bearable. David, says, that despite the troubles and tribulations, he will put His trust in God. He did not say that he will dwell there, or set up a camp there, but will walk through it.
What time I am afraid,
I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put
my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me; Psa. 56: 3-4.
Spurgeon says, “Death in its
substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains…. Nobody is
afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a man’s pathway even for a moment.
The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow
of death cannot destroy us. It has an inexpressibly delightful application to
the dying; but it is for the living, too…. The words are not in the future
tense, and therefore are not reserved for a distant moment.”[ii]
Neuroscience on Fear says
that, “Fear is an evolutionarily adaptive mechanism that can become maladaptive
in trauma with humans and anxiety related disorders.”
Fear is an evolutionarily adaptive mechanism that enables organisms to detect and respond to potential threats. However, fear is typically a phasic response to an identifiable and immediate threat, engaging survival mechanisms that prepare the organism for action. Anxiety, in contrast, reflects a more sustained and anticipatory state associated with uncertain or diffuse threats, or an internal conflict (LeDoux and Pine, 2016; Steimer, 2002).[iii]
David acknowledges that in times of fear and anxiety, he will trust in God and in His promises. This is the way he combats fear. When fear surrounds him, he overcame that by putting his trust in God and in His unfailing promises.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind; 2 Tim. 1:7.
The first step in dealing with such fears is to understand that they are not from God. It is a significant step to say, “This isn’t God making me feel like this; God hasn’t given me this.” Perhaps it is from personality, perhaps a weakness of the flesh, perhaps a demonic attack – but it isn’t from God.[iv]
Strong's Greek: 4993. σωφρονέω (sóphroneó) -- To be of sound mind, …
NAS: if we
are of sound mind, it is for you.[v]
sound mind: The ancient Greek word here had the idea of a calm, self-controlled mind, in contrast to the panic and confusion that comes in a fearful situation.
We all deal with fear differently; depend on varied situations. Examples: speaking in front of others; afraid of confrontation, some being made to look foolish, and some are afraid of rejection. We all deal with fear. But, this is the fallen world, and we are dealing with fallen people.
First of all we should remember and have the assurance, to whom we belong. Fear, timidity and anxiety can keep any one from using the gifts God gives for each one of us. God’s power placed within us, His love, and His calm thinking, and His assurance through His word will help us overcome our fear. This will enable us to use the gifts of God for Kingdom expansion work.
If our relationship with God is marked by
tormenting fear, it shows that we have not been made perfect in His love. This love is to be complete, and mature, in
His love: The antidote for Fear.
Neuroscience on fear also talks about neuroplasticity, and how that fear can be extinguished over time. We have an awesome God who wired us fearfully, wonderfully and marvelously, (Ref. Psa. 139).
Neural circuits involved in fear states and fear processing are highly plastic. Synaptic connections can be strengthened or weakened over time, based on experience, allowing fear memories to be acquired, updated, or extinguished over time. The amygdala is a central site where plastic changes encode associations between CS and US (Rogan et al., 1997).[vi]
The antidote to fear is hope and faith in Christ’s love! Hope and faith are the belief that the future holds the possibility, and one has strength to endure in difficult valleys. Taking our minds off the enemies, and in ourselves and placing our trust in God is a good antidote for fear!
This will be our life long task, practice, and desire to focus and keep the main thing as the main thing. That is loving God more than anything or anyone else and trusting on His promises.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord; Rom. 8: 38-39.
The
bottom line is, that nothing which appears to be good or evil can separate us from the love
of God which is in Christ Jesus. .
