The Calamity: 4 Types of Fear We All Face

After Jesus’ resurrection the disciples (and others, about 120 in all) were “crouching” in the upper room which had become the “headquarters” for the followers of Christ. When they all were gathered (minus Thomas), Jesus appeared to them. I can imagine them locked up in the room with the doors and windows closed, hiding, thinking that they might be the next ones to be crucified. They were alone and scared; simply put, they were living in fear. That’s the calamity they were facing. It is perhaps the strongest weapon that Satan has in defeating us. I John 4:18 tells us that “fear hath torment.” Fear will destroy you; it will cripple your effectiveness; it will rob you of your joy, and steal your happiness. It makes you lethargic, takes away your energy, cripples your mind.

            II Timothy 1:7 is one of the greatest verses in all of God’s Word. It says that “God hath not given us the Spirit of Fear! But of power, love, and of a sound mind.” If fear controls our life, it didn’t come from the Father. That means that it must have come from the Devil.

            Hear is a statement that is so true about fear. “Fear prevents the lost from getting saved, and the saved from serving God.” There are four types of fear that all of us face at some time in our lives:

1.      Fear of Failure!

At some time, we all struggle with the fear of not succeeding in what we know we should do. A person who fears failure is someone who gets nothing accomplished. Everyone at some point will fail, but you can’t live with that kind of fear.

2.      Fear of People’s Opinion!

It does matter what people think of you. Your testimony should be important enough to you to be concerned about what people think, but not enough to prevent you from doing what the Lord has called you to do. Many people often think they’re not good enough for the job or talented enough to get it done, but remember that you can do all that God wants you to do because He will give you the grace and strength to get it done.

3.      Fear of “Missing Out!”

This may apply more to young people who let peer pressure keep them from following the Lord’s leading, but everyone wonders how things will “turn out” if they commit their life totally to God. Will we be isolated? Alone? Have no friends? All of these are things that are important to us all, but should not hinder us from following God.

4.      Fear of Suffering!

This was the fear that captured the disciples. They all thought they would be next! That’s why they were hiding in the Upper Room. None of us want to suffer physically for the cause of Christ; but if we do, the grace of God will be sufficient. We may never be tortured for our faith, but it may mean a loss of friends, a loss of influence, a loss of a job, a loss of things. All of the disciples ultimately suffered for the cause of Christ, but they experienced joy knowing their suffering was not in vain.

How can we overcome our fears which will come to us all?

• Pray.

• Hang around the right people, those who lift you up.

• Remember the promises of God.

• Persevere and keep doing the right thing.

If you trace all of the disciples, they each overcame their fears and literally turned the world upside down. If we can live through our fears, we will do great things for God.