“ Ndipo anatseguka maso a onse aŵiriwo, nazindikira kuti anali amaliseche; ndipo anasoka masamba a mkuyu, nadzipangira okha zofunda: ndipo anamva mwamuna ndi mkazi wake liwu la Yehova Mulungu alikuyenda m’munda. ndipo anabisala kwa Yehova Mulungu pakati pa mitengo ya m’mundamo. Iye anayankha kuti , ‘Ndinakumvani m’mundamo, ndipo ndinachita mantha chifukwa ndinali wamaliseche;

Mantha nthawi zambiri amakhudzana ndi uchimo. Adamu adadziwa kuti adaphonya ndipo adakhala na mantha kwa nthawe yakuyamba. Chifukwa chakuti “anachita mantha,” anabisala kwa Mulungu. Mantha anali chotulukapo cha kusamvera koyamba pa dziko lapansi. Satana si “tate wake wa mabodza” ( Yohane 8:44 ) komanso tate wa mantha.

Mantha a Thupi Akuti ana amabadwa padziko lapansi ndi mantha awiri okha. Chimodzi ndi mantha a phokoso lalikulu ndipo china ndi mantha ogwa. Akatswiri a zamaganizo amatiuza kuti pofika msinkhu, mantha oposa makumi awiri ndi anayi adayikidwa mwa ife.

Pali magulu asanu ndi limodzi a mantha:

1. Mantha - mantha amamveka mwachiyembekezo.

2. Alamu - kuzindikira ngozi yomwe ikuyembekezeka kapena yomwe ingachitike.

3. Kukhumudwa - kutaya mtima.

4. Mantha - mantha omwe amakhala mwadzidzidzi komanso odabwitsa.

5. Mantha - mantha owopsa ndi opanda nzeru.

6. Mantha - mantha ochuluka ndi opundula.

Ambiri a ife takumanapo ndi mantha ena, kapena si onse, a mitundu yosiyanasiyana imeneyi. Tonse tinabadwa tili ndi mantha, monga mmene tinabadwira ku uchimo ndi imfa.

Mantha Payekha Tiyeni tione zomwe zingakhale zoopsa zisanu ndi ziwiri zomwe anthu ambiri amaopa nazo. Onani kutchuka kwa Self ndi momwe zimakhudzira zochita zathu.

1. Kuopa kukanidwa - kumabwera chifukwa chodera nkhawa zomwe ena angatiganizire ndipo nthawi zambiri zimakhudza zochita zathu. Aliyense ali ndi chikhumbo chachibadwa chofuna kufunidwa ndi kufunidwa. Motero, anthu ambiri amalankhula kapena kuchita zinthu m’njira yongofuna kusangalatsa ena. Kaŵirikaŵiri kulolera kumapangidwa zimene zimasemphana ndi zimene timachita mwachizolowezi kapena kunena monga Akristu. Timachita zimenezi chifukwa chakuti tikufuna kuti anthu ativomereze. Kuopa zimene ena angatiganizire ndi mtundu wina wa ukapolo. Tikakhala ndi mantha kuti mwina angatikanize, zidzachititsa kuti tifooke mwauzimu. Tiyenera kuika Mulungu ndi mfundo zake zolungama patsogolo, mosasamala kanthu za zotulukapo zake. Palibe aliyense wa ife amene ali pamwamba pa mayesero amenewa, ngakhale Mtumwi Paulo! Komabe, akunena ndi chidaliro chonse, pa Afilipi 3:7:

“Koma zonse zimene zidandipindulira tsopano ndiziyesa chitayiko chifukwa cha Khristu.

Chikondi chachikulu cha Paulo pa Kristu chinamuthandiza kuchotsa mantha onse a anthu ndi kukanidwa. Chikondi ndi kudzipereka kwathu zitichitirenso chimodzimodzi chifukwa, " kuopa anthu kumabweretsa msampha !" monga tikuuzidwa pa Miyambo 29:25 .

2. Kuopa kulephera - Kulephera nthawi zonse kumakhala kotheka muzochita zilizonse. Mantha angatilepheretse ngakhale kuyesa kuchita chilichonse. Palibe amene amakonda kulephera, koma kulephera kungakhale chochitika chabwino ngati tiphunzirapo. Kulephera kungakhale njira yolowera ku chipambano. Zoyesayesa zomwe zimachitika molimbika nthawi zambiri zimakumana ndi zopinga ndipo nthawi zina tidzalephera kapena kulephera. Komabe, palibe Mkristu amene amalepheradi kufikira atasiya kudalira Yesu kaamba ka Chipambano! Tiyeni tiyike pambali zonse zomwe zikanakhala ndikuchotsa maso athu pa Ufulu, kuyang'ana ku chitsogozo cha Atate wathu wachikondi pamene tikuyang'anitsitsa Yesu ( Ahebri 12: 2 ). Ndi pamene tichotsa maso athu pa iye m'pamene timapunthwa. Timalimbikitsidwa ndi mawu opezeka pa Miyambo 24:16 :

“Pakuti wolungama akagwa kasanu ndi kawiri, adzaukanso;

Tiyeni tituluke molimbika mu mphamvu ya Mzimu Woyera ndipo tidzakhala ndi chigonjetso cholonjezedwa mwa Yesu (1 Akorinto 15:57). Tisaiwale kuti ngakhale titakumana ndi zopinga, zitha kukhala zochitika zakukula ngati tidzukanso. Tiyeni tikumbukire mawu a nyimbo yotchuka: " Ndikadziyang'ana ndekha ndimanjenjemera, ndikayang'ana kwa Inu ndimakhala wamphamvu !"

3. Mantha osintha - ali ndi mizu yake chifukwa cha kusakhulupirirana chifukwa cha kusatsimikizika kwa zomwe sizikudziwika. Mantha amenewa adzatilepheretsanso kukula. Kusintha ndikofunikira pakukula ndi kupita patsogolo. Kukaniza kusintha kwakhala mliri pakukula kwa munthu m'dziko lapansi komanso moyo wake wauzimu. Chikhalidwe chaumunthu chimakhala chomasuka ndi zomwe zimadziwika. Chodziwika nthawi zambiri chimatchedwa malo athu otonthoza. Chilichonse kunja kwa malo athu otonthoza nthawi zambiri chimakhala gwero la mantha. Kusatsimikizika ndi chinthu chomwe munthu sakonda, chifukwa alibe mphamvu pa icho. Kukhala wosalamulirika kungakhale chinthu chochititsa mantha ngati sitikhulupirira Mulungu kuti chotulukapo chake chidzatipindulira. Monga Akristu, tiyenera kukhala ofunitsitsa kukhala osalamulirika ndi kulola kuti Mulungu azilamulira miyoyo yathu. Tiyenera kupanga Yesu Khristu Malo athu Otonthoza! Ndi pokhapokha, komanso mumlengalenga wodalirika, kuvomereza ndi kugonjera kwathunthu kuti tidzatha kusiya mantha awa a kusintha ndi osadziwika kumbuyo kwathu. Inde, pokhala ndi Mulungu amene akulamulira miyoyo yathu, ndi kutsogozedwa ndi Mzimu Wake Woyera, tidzalola kusintha, chifukwa tikatero tidzakhala ngati dongo lofewa m’dzanja la Woumba. Ndi mwa ntchito Zake zokha ndi chisomo kuti tidzafanizidwa ndi mafanizidwe a Mwana Wake Wokondedwa (Afilipi 1:6, Aroma 8:29). 2 Akorinto 3:18 akutitsimikizira kuti:

“Koma ife tonse ndi nkhope yosaphimbika, popenyerera monga mwa kalirole ulemerero wa Ambuye, tisandutsidwa m’chifanizo chomwechi kuchokera ku ulemerero kumka ku ulemerero, monga mwa Mzimu wa Ambuye.

Tiyeni tidalire kwathunthu pa Ambuye! Motero, kusadziŵa kungalandilidwe m’njira ziwiri; chimaoneka ndi maso a mantha kapena chimaoneka ndi maso achikhulupiriro. Tikamaona zinthu ndi maso achikhulupiriro chilichonse ndizovuta komanso ulendo wosangalatsa. Tikatero tikuyembekezera kukhala “antchito pamodzi ndi Mulungu.” ( 2 Akorinto 6:1 ) Tikatero timayembekezera mwachidwi kukhala “antchito pamodzi ndi Mulungu.” Choncho, tiyeni tiyang’ane mwachidaliro kwa “Woyambitsa ndi Wotsirizitsa wa Chikhulupiriro chathu” ( Ahebri 12:2 ).

4. Kuopa zochitika - kumachepetsa kuthekera kwathu ndipo kumasonyeza kusakhulupirira Mulungu. Pali zitsanzo zambiri zimene tingakambirane m’Malemba monga pamene Eliya anathawa Yezebeli, koma m’malo mwake, tiyeni tione nkhani yolembedwa pa Genesis 26:6-7 .

Ndipo Isake anakhala ku Gerari, ndipo pamene anthu a kumeneko anamfunsa za mkazi wake, iye anati, Ndiye mlongo wanga; Iye anaganiza kuti, ‘Anthu a kuno angandiphe chifukwa cha Rebeka, chifukwa ndi wokongola kwambiri .

Mantha nthawi zambiri amakhala maziko a kusaona mtima ndi mabodza. Ndithudi ndinu munthu wosowa ngati simunakhalepo ndi chokumana nacho chofanana ndi cha Isake. Kodi ife tonse, panthaŵi ina kapena kwina, sitinasiye nkhani ina mwa kunena zoona zokhazokha kapena mabodza ang'onoang'ono oyera kuti tipewe mikangano? Nthawi zina timachita zimenezi mofulumira kwambiri moti sitipeza n’komwe nthawi yoti tiganizire. Zikuwoneka kuti ndi momwe timachitira mwachilengedwe (anthu). Inde, mantha angatipangitse kuchita ndi kunena zinthu kapena kupewa kuchita ndi kunena zinthu zimene pambuyo pake tidzanong’oneza nazo bondo. Tiyeni tikumbukire malangizo anzeru awa a m’Miyambo:

Miyambo 12:17 : “Mboni yoona imachitira umboni woona;

Miyambo 16:13 : “ Mafumu amakondwera ndi milomo yoona mtima ;

Miyambo 24:26: “ Kuyankha moona mtima kuli ngati kupsompsona pa milomo .”

Lolani kuona mtima ndi kusapita m’mbali, zozikidwa pa Mawu a Mulungu, zikhale zosonkhezera kwambiri nthaŵi zonse m’miyoyo yathu. Choncho, pamene "Mantha agogoda pakhomo pathu, tiyeni titumize Chikhulupiriro kuti adzayankhe, ndipo tidzapeza kuti palibe munthu!"

5. Mantha a m'mbuyo - ndi njira yolakwika ya moyo yomwe nthawi zonse imayembekezera zochitika zathu zakale kuti zibwerezedwe ndipo zimabweretsa nangula wolemera ku moyo wathu. Palibe amene amakonda kubwereza kuyesa. Zakale zitha kukhala zothandiza kwa ife kapena zitha kukhala cholepheretsa. Kuopa zakale kungatipangitse kuyesa kupeŵa zokumana nazo zamasiku ano zomwe Ambuye angagonjetse kuti zibwere kwa ife kaamba ka kukula kwathu kwauzimu. Ngati tigwiritsa ntchito zakale m'njira yabwino, zidzatithandiza kuthana ndi zochitika zamasiku ano mwanzeru. Zakale ndi zochitika zake zikanatipangitsa kukhala anzeru. Ngakhale kuti n’zoona kuti mbiri nthawi zambiri “imadzibwereza yokha,” sizikutanthauza kuti tiyenera kuchita zinthu ngati mmene tinkachitira poyamba. Miyambo 3:13 imatiuza; “ Wodala ndi munthu amene wapeza nzeru, ndi wopeza luntha . Nzeru nthawi zambiri zimachokera ku zochitika zakale. Mtumwi Paulo akutikumbutsa pa Afilipi 3:13 kuti “ tidzaiŵale za m’mbuyo ”…osati phunziro... Chotero, tisamaope zakale koma kuzigwiritsira ntchito monga njira yopindulitsa yopezera nzeru ndi luntha ndipo tiyeni titamande Mulungu chifukwa cha kuleza mtima kwake kosatha kwa ife.

6. Mantha a zam'tsogolo - ndi zosadziwika, tikaziwona mwa ife tokha, nthawi zambiri zidzawoneka zosatsimikizika ndi zochititsa mantha. Zimenezi n’zoona makamaka masiku ano. Kukhazikika ndi chitetezo cha moyo, monga tidadziwira kale, kulibenso. Anthu athu ali m’chipwirikiti ndipo atsala pang’ono kupasuka. N’zoona masiku ano kuposa ndi kale lonse kuti mitima ya anthu ikulephera chifukwa cha zinthu zimene amaziona, kapena kuganiza kuti akuziona zikubwera padziko lapansi ( Luka 21:26 ). Nkhawa ndi nkhawa zimawoneka ngati chizolowezi chamasiku athu ano. Koma zimenezi siziyenera kukhala choncho kwa Mkristu amene wapereka moyo wake kwa Mulungu. Nkhawa ndi chizindikiro cha kusakhulupirira. Ziyenera kutisonyeza mwamsanga kuti pali chinachake cholakwika ndi maganizo athu. Ndi oyenerera chotani nanga mawu a nyimboyo: “Ndikanakonda kuyenda mumdima ndi Mulungu, kuposa kupita ndekha m’kuunika. Koma mawu awa akhoza kungonenedwa moonadi kuchokera mu mtima wolemera mu chikhulupiriro cha kwa Mulungu. Zoonadi, awa ndi masiku amdima pa dziko lapansi, koma ife sitiri ana a usiku kapena amdima. Ndife ana a kuunika ndi a usana (1 Atesalonika 5:5). Tili ndi malonjezo a Mulungu ndi Mzimu Wake Woyera wa “mphamvu, chikondi ndi maganizo oganiza bwino” kuti utitsogolere ndi kutithandiza zivute zitani. Tisataye kaonedwe kamene tapatsidwa pa 2 Akorinto 5:1;

" Tsopano tikudziwa kuti ngati msasa umene tikukhalamo padziko lapansi upasuka, tili ndi nyumba yochokera kwa Mulungu, nyumba yosatha m'Mwamba, yosamangidwa ndi manja a anthu ."

Ichi chiyenera kukhala cholinga chathu pamene tikukumbukira mawu olimbikitsa aja opezeka pa Afilipi 1:6;

“ Ndikukhulupirira kuti Iye amene anayamba ntchito yabwino mwa inu adzayitsiriza kufikira tsiku la Yesu Khristu .

Tiyeni tikhale okhoza kunena ndi Wamasalimo; “Mulungu ndiye pothawirapo pathu ndi mphamvu yathu, thandizo lopezekeratu m’masautso. Chifukwa chake sitidzaopa lingakhale lisunthika dziko lapansi, ngakhale mapiri atasunthidwa pakati pa nyanja.” ( Salmo 46:1-2 ) “Mulungu ndiye pothaŵirapo pathu ndi mphamvu yathu.

Tiyenera kukhutitsidwa kotheratu ndikukhulupirira mau awa ndi amene ali mu vesi 7;

“ Yehova wa makamu ali nafe, Mulungu wa Yakobo ndiye pothawirapo pathu .

Inde, tiyeni tilingalire ndi kusinkhasinkha pa malonjezo aakulu a Mulungu ndi bwino koposa...pa Lonjezo Lalikulu ndi Lamtengo Wapatali!

7. Kuopa imfa - chifukwa cha kuoneka ngati kutha, ndi chinthu chimene timayesa kupeŵa ngakhale kuchilingalira ndipo chotero tikhoza kutengeka ndi umunthu wathu, thanzi lake ndi ubwino wake, kuwononga mayendedwe athu achikristu. Imfa kwa Mkristu siyenera kukhala chinthu chochititsa mantha ngati tili ndi chiyembekezo cha kuuka kwa akufa chokhazikika m’mitima mwathu. Mtumwi Paulo ananena kuti zinalibe kanthu kaya akhale ndi moyo kapena kufa chifukwa chakuti iye ankafunitsitsa kukhala ndi Yehova. Kwa iwo amene amwalira mwa Khristu kudzakhala ngati kamphindi...kuthwanima kwa diso mpaka adzakhala ndi Ambuye Yesu pa kubweranso kwake (1 Akorinto 15:52). Chiyembekezo chosangalatsa chakuwona Mpulumutsi wawo maso ndi maso chili kutsogolo (1 Yohane 3:2). Mkristu akamwalira, ziyeso za Mkristu zimathetsedwa.

Nyimbo yomwe nthawi zambiri imayimbidwa imanena mochititsa chidwi kwambiri:

Monga nswala kusakasaka mitsinje yamadzi, Momwemo moyo wanga ipuma wefuwefu chifukwa cha Inu! Mowirikiza bwanji usiku ine ndimatembenuzira maso anga Ku nyumba yanga ya Kumwamba, Ndi kulakalaka nthawi yodala iyo, pamene Inu, Ambuye Wanga mudzandiwuza ine kuti ndibwere. Tiyeni tidzifunse moona mtima kuti, "Kodi ichi ndi chikhumbo cha mtima wanga?"

Kuthana ndi Mantha Kodi tingatani kuti tithane ndi mantha ambiri amene amaoneka ngati ali m'gulu lathu? Tiyenera kukhala ndi malingaliro atsopano. Tiyenera kuona moyo ndi zochitika zake mwatsopano. Tiyenera kuona zimenezi ndi maganizo a zimene Mulungu amafuna kwa ife pankhaniyo. Ndi mkhalidwe umenewu m’pamene tingathe kulimbana ndi mantha athu ndi kupanga chosankha kuwaika pambali mwa kuwaika iwo ndi ife eni mokwanira m’manja mwa Mulungu. Ngati chikondi chathu pa Mulungu ndi Kristu Yesu chili chopambana m’miyoyo yathu, tidzalola “mzimu wa mphamvu, ndi wachikondi, ndi wa chidziletso” zimene watipatsa mwa Kristu Yesu kuti uzigwira ntchito mokwanira. 1:7). Tisaiwale kuti mantha angakhale Mbuye wathu, koma ngati tisankha kukhala akapolo ake. Tisaiwale kuti mantha akhoza kukhala wankhanza kwambiri m’miyoyo yathu monga mmene anachitira akapitawo a Aigupto kwa Aisrayeli m’dziko la Goseni.

Kumbukirani kuti makolo amaopa maganizo ofooketsa monga nkhawa, manyazi, mantha, kuvutika maganizo, ndi kudziletsa. Inde, mantha angakhale ngati kukokerana m’miyoyo yathu; Chikhulupiriro kutikokera ife njira imodzi ndi Kusakhulupirira kukoka njira yosiyana. Chikhulupiriro ndi yankho ku mantha athu ONSE. Ngati titengadi Mulungu pa Mawu Ake, tidzakhala ndi ufulu ndi mtendere mwa Khristu zomwe zimatsagana ndi zisankho zoyenera mu uzimu. Ngati tipitirizabe "kuyang'ana kwa Yesu," osati mawu ake okha ndi chitsanzo, koma mwa pemphero kupempha mphamvu ndi chigonjetso chake, tidzamasulidwa ku zowawa zonse ndi zowawa za mantha athu onse. Yesu akutiuza pa Yohane 8:31-32;

“ Ngati mukhala inu m’chiphunzitso changa, muli akuphunzira anga ndithu; ndipo mudzazindikira chowonadi, ndipo choonadi chidzakumasulani .

Kenako mu vesi 36 akupitiriza

“Chotero ngati Mwana adzakumasulani, mudzakhala mfulu ndithu .

Ndi pamene tadziika tokha kotheratu m’manja mwa Mulungu ndi kudalira kotheratu pa Iye, m’pamene timakhala ogwirizana moyenerera ndi Ambuye ndi Mpulumutsi wathu, Yesu Kristu, ndiyeno mantha sadzakhala ndi ulamuliro uliwonse m’miyoyo yathu. Tiyeni aliyense wa ife anene kwa Satana, amene amaika chikaiko m’mitima mwathu ndi m’maganizo mwathu ndi kutiyesa ife kusakhulupirira, “Pita iwe kumbuyo kwanga,” ndi kupitiriza kuyenda mopanda chotchinga kunka kwathu Kumwamba. Tiyeni nthawi zonse tizitamanda ndi kulemekeza Mulungu wathu wamkulu ndi wodabwitsa chifukwa cha chisamaliro chake chachikondi ndi kupereka chosowa chilichonse chomwe tingakhale nacho! Aroma 8:32 amatitsimikizira;

“Iye amene sanatimana Mwana wake wa Iye yekha, koma anampereka chifukwa cha ife tonse, kodi sadzatipatsanso ife zonse mwachisomo pamodzi ndi Iye?

Kodi inu mukukhulupirira izo? Kodi inu mukukhulupirira izo?

"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.’" Gen.3:7-10

Fear is often related to sin. Adam knew he had done wrong and he experienced fear for the first time. Because he "was afraid", he hid himself from God. Fear was the result of the first act of disobedience on this earth. Satan is not only the "father of lies" (John 8:44) but also the father of fear.

Fears of the Flesh
It is said that babies are born into this world with only two fears. One is the fear of loud noises and the other is the fear of falling. Psychologists tell us that by the time adulthood is reached, more than twenty-four additional fears have been implanted in us.

There are six categories of fear:

1. Dread - fear felt in an anticipatory sense.

2. Alarm - realization of a supposed or potential danger.

3. Dismay - loss of courage.

4. Fright - fear that is sudden and shocking.

5. Panic - a frightening and unreasoning fear.

6. Terror - an overwhelming and paralyzing fear.

Most of us have experienced some, if not all, of these different kinds of fear. We were all born subject to fear, even as we were born subject to sin and death.

Personal Fears
Let us look at what may be the seven most common fears of man. Note the prominence of Self and how it influences our actions.

1. The fear of rejection - stems from our concern of what others might think of us and often influences our actions. Everyone has the normal, human desire to be wanted and needed. Thus, many people will speak or act in ways simply to please others. Often compromises are made that go against what we would normally do or say as Christians. We do this because we want to have acceptance. The fear of what others might think of us is but another form of slavery. When we become fearful lest we be rejected it will result in stunted spiritual growth. We must put God and His righteous principles first, no matter what the results might be. None of us are above this temptation, not even the Apostle Paul! Yet, he states with full confidence, in Philippians 3:7:

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."

Paul's overwhelming love for Christ helped him throw off all fear of man and rejection. May our love and commitment do the same for us for, "the fear of man brings a snare!" as we are told in Proverbs 29:25.

2. The fear of failing - Failure is always a possibility in any endeavor. Fear could hold us back from even trying to do anything. No one likes to fail, but failure can be a positive experience if we learn from it. Failures can be stepping stones towards success. Endeavors that are undertaken with perseverance will often meet obstacles and at times we will fail or fall short. Nevertheless, no Christian truly fails until he quits trusting in Jesus for the Victory! Let us set aside all the what ifs and taking our eyes off of Self, look to the guiding providence’s of our loving Father while fixing our eyes upon Jesus (Hebrews12:2). It is when we take our eyes off of him that we are tripped up. We are encouraged by the words found in Proverbs 24:16:

"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity."

Let us step out confidently in the power of the Holy Spirit and we will have the promised Victory in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:57). Let us remember that even if we experience setbacks, they can be growth experiences if we rise up again. Let us bring to mind the words of a famous hymn: "When I look at self I tremble, when I look to Thee I'm strong!"

3. The fear of change - has as its root in a lack of trust due to the uncertainty of the unknown. This fear will also keep us from growing. Change is essential to growth and progress. Resistance to change has been a plague to man's growth in the worldly realm as well as in his spiritual life. Human nature is comfortable with what is known. The known is thus often referred to as our comfort zone. Anything outside of our comfort zone is often a source of fear. Uncertainty is something man does not like, because he has no control over it. To be out of control can be a frightening thing if we do not trust God that the outcome will benefit us. As Christians, we must be willing to be out of control and to allow God to fully control our lives. We must make Jesus Christ our Comfort Zone! It is only then, and in the atmosphere of trust, acceptance and full submission that we will be able to leave this fear of change and of the unknown behind us. Yes, with God in control of our lives, and directed by His Holy Spirit, we will welcome change, for then we will be as pliable clay in the Potter's Hand. It is only by His workmanship and Grace that we will be conformed to the likeness of His Beloved Son (Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:29). 2 Corinthians 3:18 assures us:

"But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Let us fully depend upon the Lord! Thus, not knowing can be received in two ways; it can be seen through the eyes of fear or it can be seen through the eyes of faith. When we view things through the eyes of faith everything is an exciting challenge and adventure. We then look forward to being "workers together with God" (2 Corinthians 6:1). Let us look, therefore, with confidence, to "the Author and Finisher of our Faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

4. The fear of circumstances - limits our potential and indicates a lack of trust in God. There are many examples that we could consider from the Scriptures such as when Elijah fled from Jezebel, but let us look instead, at the account recorded in Genesis 26:6-7:

"So Isaac stayed in Gerar. When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, ‘She is my sister,’ because he was afraid to say, ‘She is my wife.’ He thought, ‘The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.’"

Fear is often the basis of dishonesty and lies. You are indeed a rare person if you have not had a similar experience as that of Isaac. Have we not all, at some time or other, side- stepped some issue by telling a half-truth or some little white lie in order to avoid a confrontation? Sometimes we do this so quickly that we don't even take the time to think about it. It seems to be our natural (human) reaction. Yes, fear can make us do and say things or avoid doing and saying things that we later regret. Let us remember these wise admonitions from Proverbs:

Proverbs 12:17: "A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies."

Proverbs 16:13: "Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth."

Proverbs 24:26: "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips."

May honesty and forthrightness, based on God's Word, always be the prime mover in our lives. So, when "Fear knocks at our door, let us send Faith to answer it, and we will find that no one is there!"

5. The fear of the past - is a negative approach to life which always expects our former experiences to repeat themselves and results in a heavy anchor to our soul. No one likes to repeat a trying experience. The past can be an asset to us or it can be a deterrent. Fear of the past may cause us to try to avoid today's experiences which the Lord may be overruling to come to us for our ongoing spiritual growth. If we use the past in a positive manner, it will help us to more intelligently confront the experiences of today. The past and its experiences should have made us wiser. While it is true that history often "repeats itself," it does not mean that we must react in the same way that we did
formerly. Proverbs 3:13 tells us; "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding." Wisdom very often comes from past experiences. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:13 to "forget the things that are behind"...not the lesson...but the fear and human-mindedness that comes from looking to self and not the Lord. So, let us not fear the past but use it as a profitable means of gaining wisdom and understanding and let us praise God for His infinite patience with us.

6. The fear of the future - and the unknown, when viewed from our own self perspective, will often seem uncertain and frightening. This is especially true in today's world. The stability and security of life, as we once knew it, is no longer there. Our society is in turmoil and on the brink of disintegration. It is more true today than ever before that men's hearts are failing them for the things they see, or think they see, coming upon the earth (Luke 21:26). Worry and concern seem to be the norm for our times. But this should not be true for the Christian who has turned over his life to God. Worry is truly a symptom of unbelief. It should immediately signal us that something is wrong with our thinking. How fitting are the words of the hymn: "I'd rather walk in the dark with God, than go alone in the light." But these words can only be truly uttered from a heart rich in faith towards God. Surely these are dark days for the world, but we are not children of the night or of darkness. We are children of light, and of the day (1 Thessalonians. 5:5). We have God's promises and His Holy Spirit of "power, love and a sound mind" to guide and support us come what may. Let us never lose the perspective given to us in 2 Corinthians 5:1;

"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

This should be our goal as we remember those most assuring words found in Philippians 1:6;

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Let us be able to say with the Psalmist; "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalms 46:1-2).

We must be totally convinced and believe these words and those in verse 7;

"The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."

Yes, let us reflect and meditate upon the great promises of God and better yet...on the Great and Precious Promise!

7. The fear of death - because of its seeming finality, is something that we try to avoid even thinking of and therefore we may become obsessed with our humanity, its health and welfare, to the detriment of our Christian walk. Death for the Christian should not be something to dread if we have the hope of the Resurrection embedded in our hearts. The Apostle Paul said that it didn't matter whether he lived or died because his real desire was to be with the Lord. For those who die in Christ it will be as a moment...the twinkling of an eye till they shall be with their Lord Jesus at His return (1 Corinthians 15:52). The joyful anticipation of seeing their Savior face to face lies ahead (1 John 3:2). At death, a Christian's trials are ended.

The hymn that is often sung states this most beautifully:

As pants the hart for water brooks, So pants my soul for thee... Oh, when shall I see behold thy face, When wilt thou call for me? How oft at night I turn my eyes Towards my heavenly home, And long for that blest time, when thou, My Lord shalt bid me come. Let us honestly ask ourselves, "Is this my heart’s sincere desire?"

Handling Fears
How are we to handle the many fears that seem to be a part of us? We must take on a new mind-set. We must view life and its experiences from a brand new perspective. We must see these from the viewpoint of what God's will is for us in the matter. It is with this attitude that we can then face up to our fears and make the choice to set them aside by placing them and ourselves fully in God's hands. If our love for God and Christ Jesus is supreme in our lives, we will allow the "spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" that He has given us in Christ Jesus to operate to its full capacity (2 Timothy 1:7). Let us remember that fear can become our Master, but only if we choose to become its slave. Let us not forget that fear can become just as much a tyrant in our lives as were the Egyptian taskmasters to the Israelites in land of Goshen.

Keep in mind that fear is the parent to such debilitating thinking as worry, timidity, cowardice, depression, and self- limitation. Yes, fear can be like a tug-of-war in our lives; Faith pulling us one way and Unbelief pulling the opposite way. Faith is the answer to ALL our fears. If we truly take God at His Word, we will experience the freedom and peace in Christ that accompanies spiritually right choices. If we are continually "looking unto Jesus," not only his words and example, but by prayer asking for his strength and victory, we shall be freed from all of the pains and heartaches of all our fears. Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32;

"If you hold to my teaching, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Then in verse 36 he continues

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

It is only when we have placed ourselves completely in God's hands and are totally dependent upon Him, that we are rightly related to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and then fear will not exercise any control in our lives. Let each of us say to Satan, the one who instills doubts in our hearts and minds and tempts us to unbelief, "Get thee behind me," and continue our walk unhindered towards our Heavenly Home. May we always praise and glorify our great and wonderful God for His loving care and providing every need we could ever have! Romans 8:32 assures us;

"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all, will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

Do you believe it? Do you really believe it?

© CDMI – Free Bible Students