There is a fear that is right and good. It keeps you safe from danger. There also is a fear that is an ungodly fear. Dr. Stuart Scott, a Christian counselor, says “ungodly fear and anxiety are kissing cousins. They are not exactly the same but where you see one you often see the other.” Anxiety usually occurs when we worry about what “could” happen. Fear is more convinced that the worst will happen.
If we have a godly concern we are caring about important things for the right reason. A godly concern trusts God, knowing that he is ultimately in control. Godly concern keeps us from going into a tizzy and becoming frantic. Paul had a godly concern.
II Corinthians 11:28 “Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”
Philippians 2:19-20 “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”
In these verses, Paul is showing a godly concern for the churches that he has established. Godly concern is true and helpful from God’s perspective.
An ungodly concern, or anxiety, is not a reasonable concern. It borrows trouble by thinking of all the things that “could” happen. It is the “what if’s” of life. Those are things in the future that are not real because they have not happened. When we react this way, we are taking the situation away from God. We are not trusting him to be in control. We are to obey and take care of things we have control over, but trust God for the rest. No need to worry, tomorrow may not come!
Matthew 6:31,32 ‘Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”
Ungodly fears are directly related to what we are thinking. What we think determines what we believe. Remember the verse from a previous lesson? Philippians 4:8 tells us what we are to think about. Those things that are pure, true, of good report, etc. Force yourself to start thinking of each one of these and make a list that applies to each one. Such as, what is true- God loves me, he will never leave me or forsake me, He is in control, and on and on I could go, but I think you get the picture. Do this for each item listed in the verse.
Don’t focus on your circumstances. Focus on God!
Don’t focus on Self! Ungodly fear is selfish. When we are anxious we need to focus on God and his work and his people. When meeting the needs of others, it changes our thinking.
An ungodly fear causes us to want or love something else more than we want or love God. It consumes us and “I” is at the forefront of every thought. If we don’t seek to find out what God has to say and determine we will follow his guidance, our fears can become paralyzing.
We are to be anxious for nothing according to Philippians 4:6, The only way to truly stop the anxiety is to trust God. We will trust him more as we get to know him. As we obey our love and trust in him increases.
He has something to say about everything either in direct command or principle. We must have what I call tunnel vision. Seeing only what is at the end of the tunnel.
I remember when I was a young girl my dad plowed a mule. When he was ready to plow he would harness up the mule and put blinders on either side of the mule’s head. Right beside the eyes. If the blinders were on, the mule plowed a straight line. He is focused on staying straight. He can only see what is directly ahead of him. That’s how we need to be. Ignoring anything that would cause a detour from the truth.
This element of avoiding ungodly fear and anxiety is based on seeking, knowing, and acting on the truth. Taking God at his word. I remember a song from several years back that promoted this pattern of thought. It said “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me!
Philippians 4:6-9 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
