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The Landmine of Fear

by Dr. Charles Stanley

I. Introduction

Since the Garden of Eden, fear has plagued humanity. Mankind has been fearful for all kinds of reasons.Many times, when God called His chosen servants, He reassured them that they did not have to be afraid.Neither do we.

II. Defining Fear

A. Six Primary Fears:

1. Poverty2. Death3. Loss of love4. Loss of health5. Old age6. Rejection or Criticism

B. Scripture:Isaiah 41:8-13

C. Three different types of Biblical Fear:

1. Protective fear of harm or danger (Example: fear of rattlesnakes)2. Reverence for God3. Tormenting fear (2 Timothy 1:7)

D. Sources of Fear:

1. Upbringing (Examples: fear of water, fear of being killed, distrust of men, fear of failing)2. Imagination (Example: person in a bear costume)3. Ignorance (Example: people fear theyve lost salvation)4. Doubt. God promises to supply all our needs; we have no reason to fear (Phil. 4:19).5. Impossible standards (Example: a person who expects to learn the violin in three weeks.)

E. Consequences of Fear:

1. Stifled creativity (Example: fear of hitting the wrong note in an orchestra)2. Procrastination (Example: People fear making the wrong decision or making a wrong choice, so they

put it off.)3. Lack of achievement (Example: Dr. Stanleys first sermon Joshua 1:9)4. Damaged self-esteem (Example: Thomas Edison failed many times before he invented the light bulb.5. Destroyed relationships (Example: a person who is convinced his or her spouse is going to leave)6. Panic When we panic, we make poor decisions.7. Health problems (Proverbs 17:22)

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III. Overcoming Fear

A. What is the Basis of your Fearlessness?(See Isaiah 41:9-10.)

You must know that:

1. You have been chosen.2. God is with you. This is how the Lord reassured Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and Paul.3. The sovereign Lord of the universe is your God.4. God will strengthen you.5. God will help you. Each believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our Helper. God acts on our behalf.6. God will sustain you.7. God will hold your hand (walk in step with you). He will never leave you (Heb. 13:5).

B. Steps to Overcoming Fear:

1. Identify the fear.2. Choose to lay it down by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Meditate on Isaiah 41:9-10 for three weeks, each night before bed. Ask God to reprogram yourthinking while you sleep.4. When the fear attacks you again, immediately refocus on God, taking your eyes off what you fear.

IV. Closing:Take a moment now to identify the tormenting fears you have. Before God, lay them down antrust Him to fulfill His promise to care for you. When you are tempted to fear again, choose to turn yourfocus to God.