RECIPES OF THE BIBLE: FEAR
Fears are nothing more than a state of mind. — Napolean Hill
This pandemic season has brought upon me showers of fear. I use the word “showers” because it feels like a monsoon for a short bit and then it stops. While it is showering, I’m wet, cold, scared and fearful. I hate it. I want to see the sun, to see hope again but it showers even more.
Eventually, the rain does stop and with it fear. The sun comes up and life seems to be going on its way again. Unfortunately, the showers return faster than expected and I re-live it all over again.
Fear is a cycle. It comes and goes and like anything can be triggered. There are many things that trigger fear for me and I hope you realize what triggers fear for you. But, if fear can be triggered, can peace be triggered as well?
I know many people who quote the Bible when they get fearful. Using your words to form your future is paramount, no doubt about that. This is a fantastic approach or should I say “recipe” to combat fear. I think it’s one of the many recipes the Bible gives us.
So, if you don’t feel like you’re winning the battle of fear, maybe you need to try a different recipe? As I’ve mentioned before, I like reading the Bible like recipes. Yes, the Bible says that “perfect love casts out fear.” That is a great recipe for removing fear and maybe that recipe works for you.
But, what if it doesn’t?
How about the verse that says, “I prayed to the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” This is another good scripture (and recipe) to meditate on, but what if it doesn’t work?
How about the verse that says, “when I am afraid, I will trust in you?” Maybe this is the recipe you need to get you through the battle of fear?
If you do a search through the Bible, you’ll find dozens of scriptures (recipes) about fear and how to win against it. But I also think some of these scriptures can be creatively used with wisdom.
For instance, do you watch a lot of scary or graphic action movies or shows? Do you listen to music that invokes fear or a sense of anxiety? Do you watch the news? Do you scroll through social media reading story after story which were created to put you in a state of fear?
The question to ask yourself is, what are you putting into your mind to create these feelings of fear or anxiety? This in and of itself is a recipe. It is your recipe to create fear. You may not want to be doing this, but you are.
How do you stop it?
Life is all about trade offs. If you want this, you need to sacrifice that. Ask yourself, what are you willing to sacrifice to create a recipe of peace and not fear? Do you need to stop hanging out with certain people? Do you need to stop what you’re doing on social media? Do you need to stop watching certain TV shows or films? I dunno what you’re trade off is — but we all have something.
This brings us to creating a new recipe. Not only is scripture used to beat fear but now you are creating a new recipe for yourself. A new recipe of peace is there for you. All you need to do is get a little creative and make it your own.
