3 Things that Eliminate Fear

Fear got you cornered? Here are 3 ways to eliminate fear:

The fear is real

When I was a high school student, our youth group went to a huge camp in the mountains called Falls Creek. I was always super-impressed by the musicians there – playing for thousands of teens and nailing every note without any signs of needing to eliminate fear.

Then when I was in college, it became my turn. I played piano for a traveling ensemble who sang all around a 3-state area. And we were booked at Falls Creek.

Our director made a last minute change to the introduction of our first song for our last 2 events. Some crazy, improvised, hands-bouncing-around-the-keyboard-instead-of-the-notes-printed-on-the-page thing. And for those last 2 events, I approached the changes timidly.

So, I was terrified to have to do this here, at Falls Creek, in front of our largest audience to date.

So I prayed. I asked the Holy Spirit to help me.

Let that Spirit go!

We took our place on stage, and the time came. Suddenly, I was sitting and watching as my hands were boldly playing the new introduction. The difference was so dramatic that the 4 singers all turned to look at me. I could only shrug as my hands kept going.

Without my control!

Not a Spirit of fear!

Second Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” So the contrast is clear. God doesn’t want us to live our life in fear. It’s been said that the Bible has 365 references that say “Fear not.” That’s 1 per day. Very clearly, fear isn’t in God’s plan.

BUT – what has He given us instead? A Spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1. Power – Just as in my example at the beginning of this post, Holy Spirit can overtake us and power through, using our earthly bodies to do God’s work. He can also give us the strength to power through things in a less-dramatic fashion.
2. Love – Holy Spirit can also love other through us as well – if we will let Him. We can funnel God’s love to everyone we meet, if we are living with God in mind every day.
3. Sound Mind – Have there been any days during these pandemic years when you thought your mind was fragmenting? That you were about to lose it? Yet another chance to rely on God and the strength and calm Holy Spirit provides.

Fear creates panic which destroys a calm mind. Fear comes from the enemy. BUT God gave us Holy Spirit for the win.

PRAYER – USING 4 ASPECTS OF PRAYER

Adore – Such a wonderful gift! Holy Spirit to provide power, love, and a sound mind.

Admit – Often I feel weak, or snarky, or overwhelmed. This means I’m not plugging into Holy Spirit’s gift. Instead, I’m over here trying to do things on my own.

Ask – Help me remember I’m not in this life alone.

Acknowledge – Thank You, Father God, for this Spirit of power, love, and sound mind.