Day 4 Fear God

 SO what about the 'fear of God' then?  

There are 2 Hebrew words for fear.  PACHAD is the word for terror, dread, panic 

YIRAH is the word for reverence and awe .  This is the word the Bible uses in texts like ' the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'    We are not supposed to dread God, or hide from Him.   We are supposed to Yirah Him which is something completely different,

The Bible talks about PACHAD

it describes it as  inner turmoil,  personal vulnerability, a sense of rising panic at imminent danger and the sense of judgement (end times) .  Pachad can be physical in its manifestation. Palpitations, sweats, trembling. Its very real and not at all imagined.  But it doesnt belong to us.

Job 3;25    'The thing I feared has overtaken me'.     Might there be a sense that you become what you dwell on?   Ive never really understood people who like watching horror films or reading really dark fiction.  It seems to me that when we give our time and focus to stuff that is designed to engender fear then we open that door wide .   Equally if we are constantly rehearsing and going over in our minds things that have caused us to be afraid in the past.......Fear is a liar.  When our minds are constantly concocting fearful future possibilities we are dwelling on  and believing lies.   There is a difference between a rational look at the facts (eg, this lump might be cancer) and a catastrophising of things that are not proven or havent happened.

So how do we combat that voice in our heads that tells us we have lots to fear?  

2 Cor 10:5 Take every thought captive

This takes practice. It means we need to examine our thoughts and 'arrest' every one which doesn't line up with the word of God.  We arrest those thoughts which are illegal. The ones which are lies. We stop them the minute we think them and we say (out loud if possible)" Nope, thats not true. Im not having that. Stop. " Neuro science tells us that speaking out loud re-routes our neural pathways. This stuff really works. Get good at it. It will change your life.

1John 4 ;18 Perfect love drives out fear.

This is not an opinion or an option. Its a fact.  Fear cannot stand in the face of perfect love.  And the good news is that Jesus loves us perfectly!!!  So if we can position ourselves so that we are consciously and actively aware of that love and receiving it we can be assured that fear will have to leave. 

Fear speaks loudly, but not as loudly as the voice of the Holy Spirit.  One of the very many benefits of speaking in tongues is that when you are doing it you cant be listening to fear at the same time.  If you dont speak in tongues, ask God to give you this gift. Its so massively helpful in so many ways.  But if He doesnt see fit to give it to you then worship has the same effect.  Pray and sing at all times and in all places. As soon as you feel fear rising push into the perfect love of God in prayer and worship.  And dont stop.  




Finally fear God. Put your focus and attention onto the awesome, holy, mighty, amazing, perfect, massive, wonderful Father in heaven. See Him enthroned. Picture Him with everything under His feet, ruling and reigning. Envision His immense universe-forming power and realise that in Him you are so safe and secure, nothing can separate you and nothing can defeat you. You are hidden with Christ in this awe-inspiring God.  

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