Fear is defined in Webster’s dictionary as, "an unpleasant, sometimes strong emotion caused by an anticipation or awareness of danger" or " anxious concern". Did you notice fear is accompanied by an unpleasant emotion? By anticipating danger? By anxiousness? Fear is no fun. I also took note that fear isn't actually danger; it's an anticipation of danger. As one man said in an acronym, "Fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real". Fear is something we all face. Fear produces many negative effects on us. Fear can dominate the way we think and what we decide to do. I remember watching "Jaws" when I was in high school. The next time I went swimming in the ocean I was very reticent to venture too far out. I was enjoying ankle deep sea water. Fear was dominating my decisions.

The Bible says a lot about fear. The word "fear" appears in 266 verses in the NIV Bible. The phrase "do not be afraid" or "do not fear" appear 87 times. I believe that means that God desires to alleviate our fears. He knows, better than anyone else, the negative effects of fear on our lives.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible says this about fear. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

There are two commands in this verse: 1) Do not fear 2) Do not be dismayed - literally don't look around you in dismay or anxiety. Isn't it easy for God to say, "Do not fear"? He is bigger and stronger than anything. That's the point. God is inviting me to allow Him to handle my fears. He's inviting me to trust in Him.

These two commands are supported by 5 reasons not to fear.

1) Don't fear - God is with me.

2) Don't fear - God is my God.

3) Don't fear - God will strengthen me.

4) Don't fear - God will help me.

5) Don't fear - God will uphold me.

Allow me to put it another way. Don't fear or be dismayed because God is beside me (with me), God is over me (my God), God is inside of me (strengthen me), God is all around me (help me), God is underneath me (uphold me).

In this verse, God is inviting us to stop defining and limiting our future in terms of our present or past circumstances. He's inviting us to start defining it in terms of God!

God is inviting us to joyful fearlessness. I'm going to accept His invitation. Will you?

No fear in life and no fear in death!

Pastor Tim