2Co
12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength [miraculous
power] is made perfect [completed] in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses
for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
When we seek the power of God in our weaknesses we
rely on Him and provide an opportunity for the magnificance of God's glory to work in our lives. There is always
joy in God's presence and this is when His miraculous power becomes our miraculous power. God's power
is sufficient in itself and will not only undergird us but will transform us as well.
20. Fear of Spiritual Inadequacy (5)
2Pe 1:3 According as his divine power hath given
unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
called us to glory and virtue:
2Pe 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great
and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in
the world through lust.
21. Fear of Spiritual Inadequacy (6)
Phi 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Phi 4:20 Now unto
God and our Father be glory for ever
and ever. Amen.
In this context, Paul is exceedingly blessed
and thankful for the generosity of the Philippians for taking care of his needs. Paul responds to them with a promise that
God would "fill to the full" their every need (JFB) according to God's riches. As we continue in well doing,
God sees and remembers our deeds and we can rest assured that He will keep us in the palms of His hands and likewise "fill
to the full" our every need.
22. Fear of Spiritual Inadequacy (7)
2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Eph 3:20
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Eph 1:19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward
who believe (put their trust in God), according to the working (energizing) of his mighty power,
An astounding thought! The
power of Almighty God is abiding within each and everyone of His children. Power that exceeds greatness, exceeds
abundance, and even surpasses the human imagination. God's exceeding great power energizing us
from within as we trust Him with our thoughts, our hearts, and our lives.
23. Fear of Spiritual Inadequacy (8)
Psa 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there
is
no want to them that fear him.
Psa 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek
the LORD shall not want any good thing
.
To fear the Lord is to walk in His wisdom because we know that if we wander from
His ways we wander from His goodness and power and jeopardize the peace He has given to us. He will take care
of us and provide us with everything that is good and will not leave us vulnerable because we lack the things we need.
24. Fear of Failure (1)
Psa 1:1 Blessed
is the man that walketh not in the counsel
of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psa 1:2 But his
delight is in the law of the LORD; and
in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psa 1:3 And he shall be like a
tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither (fall away,
fail or faint); and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
As Christians we allow the Lord to continually guide our hearts in the way of righteousness
and take no pleasure in following after darkness and its destructive works. Therefore we will reap the fruit of
life and no matter what our circumstances are, we will continue to be effective and thrive as individuals.
25.
Fear of Failure (2)
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye
may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Through
God we have mighty weapons that will tear down strongholds in our lives. The message in these passages tells us that
we need our spiritual armor for victory over the schemes of the devil and that we will wrestle with these forces in our minds
and hearts. God's truth vs. the devil's lies, God's salvation & righteousness vs. condemnation,
faith vs. fear of the fiery darts of the wicked, using the Word of God our sword, and connecting to God in prayer for ourselves
and others. Who can defeat the power of the Lord!
26. Fear of Failure (3)
2Co 2:14 Now
thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in
every place.
One sure way
to avoid failure is to remain fixed in Christ. God is always causing us to be conquerors and causing us
to prosper in the knowledge of Christ that we become God's sweet aroma wherever we go. True success!
27.
Fear of Failure (4)
Mat 6:19
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do
not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your
treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Our personal goals in life and what we desire to have often reflect what we treasure or value in our hearts.
If these treasures or securities, whatever they may be, are bound to earthly things then they invite fear and worry because
the things of the earth are vulnerable to both corruption and loss .
" Everything we know through our five senses is in
a state of change and decay. But when our thoughts are in God, there can be no fears, worries, defeats, or frustrations.
We are not staking our lives on that which changes, but on Him who changeth not" (Orientalisms of the Bible by
Bishop KC Pillai, DD).
28.
Fear of Failure (5)
Deu 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God,
he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deu 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not
fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Isa 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make
fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
God is constantly reminding us not to fear because all we need is His strength.
God goes with us, before us, guides us every step of the way, and will never leave us alone. We will not fail because
God will not fail. As we give Him our hearts day by day and delight in His righteousness and love, He is faithful to
fill us with His Spirit against the throes of fear, despair and discouragement. How significant is the supernatural
power of joy!
29. Fear of man (1)
Psa 56:10 In
God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.
Psa 56:11 In
God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Psa 56:12
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
Psa 56:13 For
thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling [thou will deliver], that I may
walk before God in the light of the living?
David already sought the Lord and received God's deliverance from death. He keeps his vow
of praise to God and continues to encourage himself in the faithfulness and power of God to safeguard him, that he need
not fear the harm of any man. When God has His hand upon a situation, we can be confident that He will see it through
to the very end.
30.
Fear of man (2)
Psa
56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Pro
29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Our
answer to fear is to place our trust in the Lord. Fearing what others can do to us entangles us psychologically and
is like placing a "noose" (snare) around our necks. A snare is a trapping device (noose/ hook etc.) for small animals.
However trusting in the Lord will keep us safe (secure from danger, harm, or evil). God's Word says that we "shall be
safe."
(Refs: Strong's/ American Heritage Dict.)
31.
Fear of man (3)
Isa 51:7 Hearken unto
me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid
of their revilings.
Isa 51:8 For the moth
shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation
from generation to generation.
Heb 13:6 So that we may
boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
The injustices and false judgments of humanity are
good for nothing in the end except for reaping its own destruction, since God's Truth alone will stand and live on forever.
We can have courage and confidence in God because He promised us that He would never leave us. We have God's Holy Spirit
within us in which we are assured of God's everlasting company.
31.
Fear of Loneliness (1)
Psa 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing
soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was
able also to perform.
Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
God
wouldn't be God if His wisdom and power was not great enough to see us through all of life's situations. We need not
fear loneliness because we will never be alone. God's power is more than abundant and He is both willing and able
to help us in our most urgent needs. By placing our faith in God we keep ourselves
in His peace versus fear of our present or future circumstances.
32. Fear of Loneliness (2)
Psa 29:11
The LORD will give strength [force, security, majesty, praise] unto his people; the LORD
will bless his people with peace [safe, well, happy, friendly].
Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield [protector]; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore
my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Psa 28:8
The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength [fortification & defense] of his anointed.
Psa 28:9
Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
The Lord promises to strengthen His own in His power and lead them to safety.
The psalmist was confident in the Lord's willingness and ability to help him and from the heart placed his trust in Him and
was helped "to surround, protect and aid.
33. Fear of Loneliness (3)
Mat 19:29 And
everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake, will receive a
hundred times more and will be given eternal life.
Psa 37:3 Trust
in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Psa 37:4 Delight
thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psa 37:5 Commit
thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
God is a God Who seeks to reward His children with good. God promises to bless us abundantly if we
just trust, delight and commit our lives to Him. He will not only provide for our basic needs but also our most earnest desires.
He tells us to continue doing good, and don't worry because He will bring it to pass.
34. Fear
of evil (1)
Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Psa 23:4 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.
Pro 12:21
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
God will never tempt us to fall away but is continually delivering us from all evil. This is a sure
promise of God and even though our journey sometimes takes us through the dark places and experiences of this world, we are
to fear no evil.
The valley of the shadow of death — is a ravine overhung by high precipitous cliffs, filled with dense forests, and
well calculated to inspire dread to the timid, and afford a covert to beasts of prey (JFB).
35. Fear of evil (2)
Psa 91:9 Because
thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil
befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his
angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
We can be confident,
that as we abide in Christ, God's angels are watching over us. God specifically assigns and authorizes His angels to
protect us from all manner of evil, as well as "widespread affliction or calamity" (AH Dict.).
36. Fear
of evil (3)
Pro 22:5 Thorns and snares are
in the way of the forward (distorted/ false): he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Pro 19:23 The
fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Luk 7:21 And in that same hour
he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
As
Christians, we are mindful of the ways of God and understand that our well being is supernaturally protected and preserved
by the power, grace and forgiveness that we receive of God through Christ. Jesus Christ suffered and died for the whole
world and anyone who believes in Him will find salvation and deliverance from all evil.
Thorns and snares: the thorns of affliction, and the snares of Satan: by the one his way is hedged up, and in the other his
feet are taken; (Gill)
Shall abide satisfied:
In this life as well as the next life.
1Ti 4:8 For bodily exercise
profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is
to come.