Fear and the Christian - Can they Co-exist?
by Nancy Wells
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV
If a Christian is living in fear, it is clear from 2 Timothy 1:7, that the bondage did not originate with God. Instead, according to this scripture, God bestows on His children power, love, and a sound mind. Why, then, are so many Christians living in fear? Could I Peter 5:8 hold the answer? "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Herein lies at least part of the problem.
I know that it is possible for fear and a Christian to co-exist because as a young believer, I was paralyzed by a phobic fear for many months. I had accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, but I was weak in the faith and had a history of anxiety and fear prior to the time of my conversion.
As a microbiologist in a food lab, I tested both raw ingredients and finished products for contamination. In the course of that testing, I used known cancer-causing chemicals. Over time I believed that my home was contaminated with these materials, and as a result, I began a long, painful journey into my own personal hell. I dreaded getting up in the morning because I knew that it would mean endless washing of my hands, clothing, and home in order to rid myself of these chemicals. Of course, the cleansing was never complete, and the process would begin anew each morning. Needless to say, I was miserable, and my husband of just a few years, also being a new Christian, was unsure how to help me even though we did seek various avenues of personal counseling.
The breakthrough came when we attended a series of Canadian Revival Fellowship meetings, where I was introduced to the Lordship of Christ. Though He had been my Savior, Jesus now also became my Lord. I was introduced to Romans 14:23: "…for whatever is not from faith is sin." I was excited to learn that my fear was sin and that I could confess it and be forgiven by my loving Lord. My sinful chains of bondage were immediately broken by the power of God's Word, never to return again in the same form. How I praise Him for that new-found freedom!
So, you might ask, did the fear and anxiety leave forever? No. There have been more bouts of fear and anxiety over the years in other areas of my life, but I have not become enslaved to them as dramatically as before. I continue to learn that when temptations come I can either choose to believe the lies of the roaring lion who seeks to destroy me, or I can trust in God, Who has promised to give me power, love, and a sound mind. I John 4:18 says: ""There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."
Yes, fear and the Christian can co-exist but only if the Christian chooses not to believe and apply the truth of God's Word to his life. It is far better to choose the pathway of freedom through Christ than to live in bondage to fear. Praise God for the victory that He gives when we trust and obey Him!
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