Overcoming the Achilles Heel of Fear - Part #2

Yesterday we established and unpacked that the phrase 'your Achilles Heel’, is used, to describe a point of weakness or area of vulnerability, that could lead to someone’s downfall.

Someone has observed that the armour of God found in Ephesians chapter 6 only works on the front side, that is, when we confront the enemy head on. Maybe Achilles was in retreat mode when the fatal arrow lanced his heel?

Anyway, enough of suppositions.

Let us, as Caroline's uncle would often say, "feed our faith and starve our doubts." Can you agree with me and proclaim that "there are too many people in the dark room of unbelief developing their negatives."

I have heard it said, "doubt looks back, worry looks all around but faith looks up."

So how do we feed our faith?

Well the scriptures inform us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans chapter 10 verse 17).

The opposite or anonym of faith is fear. We have already seen that there are 365 'fear nots' throughout scripture, one for every day.

In these coronavirus pandemic days, we need a good dose of personal faith-building.

Firstly, we must recognise that anxiety can weigh us down

"An anxious heart weighs a man down"(Proverbs 12 verse 25)

ANXIETY is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.

There is a lot of uncertainty about today.

People may lose their job.

People are uncertain of the future.

People are worrying about catching the virus, to name but a few.

Secondly, we can be rescued from all our fears.

"I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34 verse 4).

A good acronym for F.E.A.R. is that it is often:

F = False

E = Evidence

A = Appearing

R = Real.

Scripture tells us that Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he will devour. He makes a lot of noise. 

The good news though is that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and knocked that old roaring lions teeth out! That roaring is often just false accusation in our thoughts. We often worry about some eventuality that is never actually realised! This is a satanic tactic.

That is why Satan is referred to as "the accuser of the brethren". He wants to rob us of joy and peace, by causing us to fear, worry and doubt.

His strategy is to question faith.

Will Covid19 ever pass? – faith says it will

Will I ever get to hug my granddaughters – faith says I shall

Thirdly, we are to swop our anxiety with prayer

"Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving present your requests to God"                (Philippians 4 verses 6 & 7).

I am a recovered depressive. 

The "mind monsters" of unworthiness, shame and self-persecution almost got the better of me. 

Fear can be very real – it can be a terrorist of the mind.

I have understood first-hand that fear is a major strategy of our arch enemy. He is both a liar and deceiver.

We overcome Satan both by the blood of the lamb and our confession of faith.

Notice that if we are to live an overcoming life, it is both

·    Confessing Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts God has raised him from the dead (Romans 10 verses 9&10)gains us salvation

And

·    It is also about the power of a positive confession of the word of faith.

Read Revelation 12 verse 11 which says that we "conquer Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony"

Let us close out today with this thought in mind - that of a positive confession or testimony of faith.

The book of Proverbs says, "we are snared by the words of our mouth” (Proverbs 16:2).

Finally, take notice of what the writer in the book of Hebrews says in Hebrews 13 verses 5&6.

... because God has said, “Never will I leave you;never will I forsake you.” So, we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Yes, Because God says...so we say with confidence.

Paul the Apostle puts it another way:

"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: "

As you go on your way today, proclain with confidence one thing that God says about you.

Stay tuned for tomorrows third and final instalment of Overcoming your Achilles Heel of Fear.