Fear is a human emotion that is triggered by a perceived threat.
Physical health. Fear weakens our immune system and can cause cardiovascular damage, gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and decreased fertility. It can lead to accelerated ageing and even premature death.
Memory. Fear can impair formation of long-term memories and cause damage to certain parts of the brain, such as the hippocampus. This can make it even more difficult to regulate fear and can leave a person anxious most of the time. To someone in chronic fear, the world looks scary and their memories confirm that.
Brain processing and reactivity. Fear can interrupt processes in our brains that allow us to regulate emotions, read non-verbal cues and other information presented to us, reflect before acting, and act ethically. This impacts our thinking and decision-making in negative ways, leaving us susceptible to intense emotions and impulsive reactions. All of these effects can leave us unable to act appropriately.
Mental health. Other consequences of long-term fear include fatigue, clinical depression, and PTSD.
Jesus is the great physician and knows how damaging fear can really be, both
to our physical health as well as our spiritual health so He teaches us how to use it correctly and warns us of the danger that uncontrolled fear has on us.
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all those that do his commandments: His praise endures for ever.
Matthew 6:25, 31-34; do not worry about your life. Our biggest fear as humans.
Matthew 10:28-31 fear God not man, man can only kill you, don’t fear death.
Matthew 14:26-31; Peter attempting to walk on water,
Jesus came to conquer the fear of death, the great unknown - Hebrews 2:14-15
Defeated Satan Romans 16:20; Revelation 20:1-3; 7-10
How do you stop fear in your life, listen to Paul’s advice to Timothy.
A young man, in a different country, with aggressive brethren, he had fear.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV For God has not given us a spirit of fear
but of power and love and a sound mind.
Not Timidity – DEILOS – fearful, Mark 4:37-41; John 14:27; Revelation 21:8
Power – Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5; Acts 2:37-39; 1 John 5:13; John 8:31-32; Know the Truth!
Love – seek the best for another, don’t worry about self, your saved! Philippians 2:3,4,12; Ephesians 6:14-17; no fear when one is prepared. 1 John 4:18
Discipline – sound mind – SOFRONISMOS – SDZO saved; FRAN – heart, soul, mind
Grounded in Truth – Bible is inspired; creation not evolution; God is in control; Jesus is coming again; eternity is reality.
Old Testament examples of, power, love, sound mind.
David as a shepherd – 1 Samuel 17:32-37; Psalms
Shad, Mesh, Abed – fiery furnace Daniel 3:16-19; Kings top advisers.
Daniel in lion’s den – Daniel 6:10,20-22; 2nd to the King
So when the world starts ramping up the rhetoric to be afraid,
Fear of covid or it’s variants, fear of climate change, fear of economy,
What do you do – remain calm and only fear God, for He is in control
And He will always be with you. Romans 8:31-39
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