CONQUER HOPE’S FOE – FEAR

“FEAR NOT, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine” – Isaiah 43:1b

Maximising destiny demands that we CONQUER HOPE’S FOE – FEAR: “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “FEAR NOT, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine” (Isa.43:1). God commands us not to fear. The phrase “fear not” is used at least eighty times in the Bible. The New Testament reveals that Fear is a spirit: “For God has not given us a SPIRIT of FEAR, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim.1:7). The spirit of Fear works to oppose the spirit of Hope. As we meditate on what God says about us in Christ, we’ll be able to recognise, capture, and conquer every fear that’s holding us back.

Fear is Hope’s Number One Foe; and it is the opposite of Faith – “the substance of things HOPED for” (Heb.11:1a). Therefore, fear hinders Hope. Whether the big, intimidating fear or the seemingly little one, no fear should be trivialised. Every fear can be fatal! The devil uses fear as a tool against individuals and groups of people to make them miserable and destroy their lives. Fear has been defined as: “False Expectation Appearing Real”! Unless one is firm in Faith and strong in Hope, anytime the storms of life arise, the tendency is to lose peace and give in to fear. But God wants us to be hopeful as we walk by faith; but Satan wants us to walk in fear and wallow in hopelessness. We must never permit fear to rule our lives.

Fear often begins as a thought and then creates emotions that can rule the entire being. Proverbs 23:7 says, “as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he.”  Where the mind goes, the man follows. A fearful thought usually becomes a strong, intense feeling that can move a person to make a foolish decision or action, or prevent one from doing something that would be beneficial or productive. Fear is like a ‘master spirit’ in Satan’s spiritual arsenal. It is a common strategy of the devil to attack people's lives, and manipulate them out of God's will, which is to live a fulfilling, satisfying, peaceful and joyful life in Christ.

When the enemy injects “what if” thoughts into our heads, we begin to think we will have the worst possible outcome. At such times, the devil is trying to keep us from going forward in God’s will and experiencing His good plans for our lives. God wants us to be totally free from fear. He doesn’t want us to live in torment, or for fear to stop us from confidently accomplishing His Will: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1Jh.4:18). Understanding God’s perfect, unconditional love, delivers us from fear.

The enemy tries to use fear to decrease our hope and limit our victories. But we belong to the Creator of the Universe, the omnipotent, omniscient, victorious Father who cares deeply about us – about every detail of our lives. When we meditate on this truth, it’s hard to remain fearful. By focusing on Him, and how He calls us His prized, redeemed ones, we shift from fear to Hope and Faith. Whatever may be the trigger of fear – a health crisis, family problem, or financial struggle – we must focus on the power of the God who calls us by name, and commands fear to flee from our hearts and our vicinity.

Thoughts or feelings of fear are the enemy’s attempt to distract us from God and His perfect Will. Finding freedom from fear begins with meditating on God’s Word to have our minds renewed (Rom.12:2). Meditation transforms information into revelation, which sets us free from the fear that held us down. God moves on our behalf when we focus on Him instead of the fear triggers. Only with devoted attention to Christ can we give up all clinging fears and face the future with Hope!