Week 3: The Value of Fear
I’m so glad you’re here and you’ve stuck with this study to the very end. I can’t believe we’re finishing up this week. It has been a blessing to share God’s word with you. I’m praying your faith is stronger and your fear is weaker. Everyone struggles with fear from time to time, but when faith triumphs in our struggle miracles happen.
The Bible uses many different Hebrew words which are translated “fear.” One word is Arat, which means terror or dread. Another word is Pachad. It bears the meaning of standing in awe or reverence. God greatly blesses us when we embrace this faith-fear, Pachad, as the primary motivation in our lives.
I’ve found fear (arat) brings dread and torment but faith-fear (pachad) brings peace and freedom. In Luke 12, Jesus taught us to never fear the things of this life, we should only fear God. We should reverence and stand in awe of the only one who is able to give or take life. When we stand in faith-fear there is no dread or terror because we find God loves us. God notices intimate details about us. He knows how many strands of hair are on, or have turned loose from, our heads. God sees all His creation. His eye is on the sparrow; that inexpensive bird sold for offerings. We can rest assured God sees us in our time of need and He cares.
In God’s eyes we’re highly valued. In my personal struggle with fearing rejection I’ve found as long as I’m willing to please God above others it doesn’t matter whether I’m rejected or not. David wrote in the Psalms the fear of man can enslave you. Properly placed fear, pachad, hides me in the shelter of a loving God who cares for my well-being; who cares for my very soul.
Assignment 1
When we’re motivated by our fears we’re led down a path of bondage and failure. For example, fear of rejection leads me to bondage and failure when my ‘need to please’ others overrules my desire to please God.
For today’s assignment I want you to think about your fear. Remember, fear motivates us in what we think, feel, and do. If I fear God and cease to fear man, I begin to walk the path of freedom and success.
- What is your fear? (My Fear is rejection).
- How does that fear keep you in bondage? (My Bondage is the need to please others).
- What is your path to freedom and success? (My path to Freedom is to please God above others).
Assignment 2
You’re doing great! We’re coming to an end of this study and I want you equipped to handle whatever fear the enemy throws at you. Since you’ve worked through identifying your fear and the bondage it brings, let’s dig into God’s word and find the promises to help you step from the path of fear and failure to the path of faith and success. Look up the following verses:
Proverbs 31:30
Deuteronomy 5:29
Proverbs 9:10
Proverbs 14:26-27
Proverbs 19:23
Proverbs 22:4
Psalm 31:19
Psalm 34
Psalm 103:11
Psalm 145:19-20
Isaiah 33:6
Isaiah 41:13
Then choose three verses that speak to you. Next, create some unique way to display those verses so that you’re reminded daily of God’s promises to you. Display the verses on your bathroom mirror, or a white board, or on your refrigerator. Maybe you’re gifted and can paint them on decorative plates for a permanent display. Be creative and share a comment about your display.
Assignment 3
- Read Isaiah 43:1-2. What does it say about believing God? Now that you know more about the Lord and how He’s aware of your fears, do you believe Him?
- Read Mark 5:36. How is believing God linked to not fearing things of the world?
- Look up Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:7. What steps do you need to take in order to live a successful and victorious life of faith?
I trust you’ve been helped by this study. I pray God’s riches blessings on you.
