FaithFit

Overcome Your Fear

Sunday April 11, 2021 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

John 20:19

The root of fear is sin. The Resurrection of Jesus shows us that Jesus is the beloved Son of God and we are His beloved children. You can overcome your fear by experiencing God's perfect love -"Perfect love drives out fear." (1 John 4:18).

Peace Be With You (John 20:19)

Jesus' central message is that God loves us with unconditional love. God desires our love, free from all fear, in return.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE AFRAID?

We fear because death, corruption, and decay remain in us. Fear is associated with punishment.

The disciples were afraid and they shut the door for fear of the Jews. (John 20:19)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

God said, "Fear not, for I am with you." Many of us fear because we are afraid of loneliness. (Spurgeon) People fear abandonment, being left behind and forgotten.

1. Leadership can be lonely.
2. Suffering can be lonely.

"A part of the road to heaven every man must tread with no companion but his God" -Spurgeon

FEAR NOT

Doubts and fears breed sin.

1. God is our constant companion. He knows we will face trials and temptations. "Fear Not, for I am with you..." (Isaiah 41:10)

Sin is the mother of fear.

1. In the beginning, Adam never was afraid of his God. Fear is associated with punishment.

RESURRECTION CHANGES EVERYTHING

The resurrection frees us from fear that paralyzes us from living our God-intended life. Fear paralyzes our actions; it stops us from moving forward. Jesus faced our fears and knowing Jesus can help us face our fears.

Freedom From Fear

Jesus can unlock your potential. His peace can find you behind the locked doors.

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." (John 20:19)

Safety Behavior And Danger

1. Your safety behavior is a constant reminder that at any moment your life could be in danger.

Safety And Anxiety

1. Have a balance between your behavior that keeps you safe and external behavior that increases your anxiety.

You cannot be free from fear without stopping your anxious behaviors.

1. Stop consuming news if it heightens your fear.

Face your fears in small increments

1. Join a choir if you are afraid to sing solo.

Jesus can unlock your potential.

1. Open your locked doors. You cannot overcome your fear behind the locked doors.
2. Put your attention on creating and accomplishing, not on your fear (not on the virus).

Commissioned To Go Without Fear

1. Jesus gave you the Holy Spirit and gave you His peace. Receive peace and replace the fear.

Holding on to your anxious behaviors means maintaining your anxiety.

So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21-22).

Jesus did three things to replace the fears of the disciples

• 1. Jesus replaced Panic with Peace - "Peace be to you."
• 2. He sent them out of the locked doors - He gave them purpose with authority.
• 3. He gave them the Holy Spirit -He promised to be with them always.

You can choose to stop dwelling on your fears and you can choose to take action to solve problems.

The Spirit of Power, Love And Sound Mind

The resurrection of Jesus brings the spirit of power over panic, love over loneliness, sound mind over troubled mind.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ( 2 Timothy 1:7)

Anxiety will try to bait you with many "what if" questions. Don't take the bait.

1. What if I get a virus from touching a doorknob?
2. What if I lose my job?
3. What if I am single all my life?
4. What if I don't get into college?
5. What if I am not invited to a party?

   Habit Loop: It Is Hard To Change

6. It is hard to change because your brain has a habit loop.
7. "The Habit Loop is a neurological loop that governs any habit." (Duhigg, C)

Isolate Your Cue: Experiments have shown that almost all habitual cues fit into one of five categories:

• 1. Location: Where are you? The disciples were behind a shut door.
• 2. Time: What time is it? It was Sunday evening.
• 3. Emotional State: What's your emotional state? The disciples were afraid and lost.
• 4. Other People: Who else is around? The disciples were minus Thomas.
• 5. Immediately preceding action: What has just happened? Jesus was crucified.

Jesus reminded them of their mission and sent them out of the locked doors.

Bad Thoughts: Isolate The Cue

• 1. Location: Alone in your room
• 2. Time: Night
• 3. Emotional State: No one loves me. I don't want to live.
• 4. Other People: Alone
• 5. Immediately preceding action: Social media (All your friends at a party and you were not invited.)

Good Thoughts: Break The Neurological Habit Loop

• 1. Your life and dreams are not dependent on your friend inviting you to a party. Jesus said I will give you an abundant life. Your friend who did not invite you to the party cannot fulfill your dreams.
• 2. You may be heartbroken, But God's love for you has nothing to do with whether you were invited to a party or not. God loves you just the way you are.
• 3. Stop browsing social media and reach out to people who love you.
• 4. Text your pastors and mentors if you are having bad thoughts.
• 5. Seek out professional help. You don't need to do this alone.

CULTIVATE FAITHFIT HABITS

1. Reduce Your Worry With Truth: Take small steps in changing your behavior.
2. Choose Faith: Replacing your fear with faith is a choice.
3. Focus On Living Your Life: Having faith or imagining the worst is a choice.
4. Choose The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit can replace your fear with faith.
5. Live In The Resurrection Power: The Holy Spirit offers you power over panic, love over loneliness, sound mind over troubled mind.