For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment”
2 Timothy 1:7
We all need a place where we can feel secure; a place for those seeking refuge from the world's chaos, fears, and anxieties. That place has to be the church. I'm referring to a place where you are free to speak frankly and honestly with God. I'm referring to a place, where you can hear God speak directly to you and feel his calming presence. There can't possibly be a better place than the church.
God, the Creator of everything knows how we can easily get overwhelmed by fear in the world we live in. So in his wisdom he has provided us the perfect place where we are adequately prepared and taught how to overcome fear. In fact, a place where we're taught that fear is not for the believers, because the one who has overcome the world is with us.
The church is a place where fears are supernaturally alleviated in the life of a believer mostly because we're taught:
Faith - In the church our faiths are strengthened against fear. As a result, a believer won't easily be tormented by fear.
God's word - The church is a place where we get exposed to the teachings of the Scripture. The knowledge of God's Word helps us stand firm in the face of fearful situations. It may interest you to know that "fear not" was mentioned 365 times in the Bible. This means that each day, there is God's voice echoing fear to us.
Prayer - Apart from being a place where we are exposed to Biblical teachings that help us overcome fear daily, it is a place where we are taught how to pray. Prayer is a powerful tool that believers use to wage war against powers and spirits and that include the spirit of fear. "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."Acts 2:42. In the place of prayer, we are empowered against temptation. And that includes the temptation of listening to the enemy that brings fear. In the place of prayer, the Holy Spirit reminds us that we're leaning on him; this makes us bold in the face of fearful situations. In addition to praying on our own, the church is a place where we receive prayers and encouraging words that help us overcome our fears. Just as Peter received a lot of prayers from the church when he was imprisoned. Acts 12:5. "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
Furthermore, the church is a place that helps alleviate our fears and anxieties because it is a place where we experience unconditional love and acceptance. "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25.
More so, in the church, we're reminded that we are fighting on the side of victory. Jesus has secured victory over everything for us (including victory over fear) with his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Our fight against fear is rooted in the victory Jesus has already won for us.
Lastly, the church is a tangible place for us to connect and draw closer to God, as well as get reminded that God is bigger than our greatest fears; and he can assuage them.
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