Overcoming the Achilles Heel of Fear - Part #3

Over the past few days 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. We see in the news that fear is at an all time high.

Introduction – Social Damage

Local news is heightening fear, stating "it is feared" that "150,000 Britons could die from non-coronavirus causes because of the UK's lockdown.

A tentative estimate circulating in Whitehall suggests a six-figure death toll from a long-term lockdown, caused by a spike in suicides and domestic violence. 

The pandemic is expected to have a huge knock-on effect on people's mental health, due to financial worries and a disruption to old routines.

Indications of this is starting to appear in small studies, while the police have started to see early evidence of a rise in suicide attempts.  

Meanwhile, charities have revealed a spike in calls from domestic abuse victims who are forced to stay indoors with their abusers. 

Pressure is mounting on the Government to outline exactly how the lockdown will be lifted, in order to give hope to the millions struggling from worry and fear.

The 'social damage' caused by pausing normal life is beginning to be weighed up by experts in comparison to the coronavirus itself."

Christians, however, are encouraged by Jesus "not to worry" and "not to be afraid," even when mind-monsters of fear are all around us.

As we have established, faith is the antonym of fear. Here are some faith-filled quotes for you today. Skim through them and choose the one that means the most to you.

"Faith, which is trust, and fear are opposite poles. If a man has the one, he can scarcely have the other in vigorous operation. He that has his trust set upon God does not need to dread anything except the weakening or the paralyzing of that trust." - Alexander MacLaren

“Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be. You must move against it with the weapons of faith and love.” - Rick Warren

“The only known antidote to fear is faith.” - Woodrow Kroll

Here are the 3 main things we need to consider as we overcome the Achilles Heel of Fear

1.We can know that God is with us in our struggles and fears

2.We can rely on God as our strength in every situation

3.We can overcome hardship by our trust in the finished work of Jesus and our faith-filled confession

If you’re trying, like me, to overcome fear in your life, I hope that these numerous quotes and vast array of bible verses will give you encouragement, faith, and renewed strength. 

By reprogramming the narrative of our thoughts, we will find help to become victorious overcomers!

FIRSTLY, we can know that God is with us in our struggles

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, in a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.”- John Newton

“If you fear God, you really need fear nothing else.” - Zac Poonen

“Fear is something that we’ve all struggled with at some point in our lives. Whether it’s the fear that comes with a bad report from a doctor or a low bank account, or a more nameless fear of people and life in general, it can steal our joy and life. But it’s not supposed to be that way! God wants us to “fear not.”

“Are you facing fear today? Perhaps you are afraid of losing your job, of developing coronavirus or being left by your spouse. At times all of us experience fear. But don't allow fear to keep you from being used by God. He has kept you thus far; trust Him for the rest of the way.”- Woodrow Kroll

“Faith, which is trust, and fear, are opposite poles. If a man has the one, he can scarcely have the other in vigorous operation. He that has his trust set upon God does not need to dread anything except the weakening or the paralyzing of that trust.” - Alexander MacLaren

“The only known antidote to fear is faith.” - Woodrow Kroll

“How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.” - Florence Nightingale

“Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a centre of fear.”- Corrie Ten Boon

“Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be. You must move against it with the weapons of faith and love.”- Rick Warren

“Beloved, I say, let your fears go, lest they make you fainthearted. Stop inspiring fear in those around you and now take your stand in faith. God has been good, and He will continue to manifest His goodness. Let us approach these days expecting to see the goodness of the Lord manifest. Let us be strong and of good courage, for the Lord will fight for us if we stand in faith.” - Francis Frangipane

Now here are some scripture verses on faith over fear

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 8:17-18 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Psalm 112: 1, 7-8 “Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord. They are not afraid of evil tidings; their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord. Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

SECONDLY, we can rely on God as our strength

“Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a centre of fear.” - Corrie Ten Boom

When we look to God, he will give us the strength we need to carry us through the dark times.  

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Isaiah 40:29 “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

1 Chronicles 16:11 “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:6,8 “Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

THIRDLY, We can overcome hardship by our trust in the finished work of Jesus, alongside proclaiming a faith-filled confession

“You will find a joy in overcoming obstacles.” – Helen Keller

With God as our strength and our guiding light, we can overcome and rise above our hardships.

1 John 5:5 “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Reread the verses and commit your favourite to memory. 

In doing this you will be able to confess it next time you encounter fear, worry and opposition.

There is a song, pregnant with truth, that my wife sang many years ago which says:

"I will stand I will not waiver
I will stand in Jesus name
I will stand for I'm possessing
What God has placed within my hand
And though foes should rise against me
I'll not offer them a foothold
I will stand
I will stand"

Be encouraged today.

You have the armour of God to stand and protect yourself from the strategy of our adversary.

"Faith, faith, faith, just a little more faith
You don't need a whole lot
Just use what you've got
Faith, faith, faith, just a little more faith.

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4)

“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds, in a believer's ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.” - John Newton

#Stay safe
#Faithovercomesfear

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