Fear: what is it really?

[Esaias]

A lot of talk on here about fear, fearmongering, causing fear, people being afraid, etc, in the context of what many consider unpleasant news.

Here's a helpful tip:

Fear is not really a feeling, but a choice. And because of that, it can be controlled. Your choices are just that - your choices. Feelings come and go, but you can CHOOSE either fear, or confidence (faith).

When you perceive anything as a threat, you will almost always respond physiologically with an adrenalin rush. Adrenalin produces sensations - butterflies in the stomach or nausea, tunnel vision, hyperventilation, sensations of weakness in the arms and legs (weak knees), shaking, increased heart rate, palpitations, etc. Secondary effects include frantic thinking, a sense of desperation, panic attacks, etc. These are biological, involuntary effects of the presence of increased adrenalin and activation of the amygdala. It is the "fight or flight response" to perceived threats. The intensity of the effect depends on the perceived dangerousness of the threat. This is a normal God-designed function of human nature meant to keep you safe and alive.

These effects trigger certain psychological effects and mental processes. In extreme adrenalin surges, the brain works faster, thought speed increases, which is perceived as everything going in slow motion. Because you are perceiving and thinking faster, everything else seems to be slower.

But more importantly, the mind enters what fighter pilots call an OODA Loop. OODA stands for Observe a threat, Orient (focus) on the threat, Decide a course of action, Act or carry out the decided course of action.

Example: you are driving, guy in front plows into the guardrail. Boom! Adrenalin dump, your blood flow is redirected away from internal organs to protect vitals (nausea), bladder and bowels may be emptied to reduce risk of infection if internals are damaged (involuntary urination or defecation), blood and adrenalin surge to arms and legs to provide increased energy for fleeing or defending (shakes), heart rate increases to increase blood flow to needed muscles, breathing rate increases to provide more oxygen, brain goes into hyperdrive (everything seems slow-motion to give you more time to analyze and decide). Intense focus on The Threat and elimination of unnecessary distractions (tunnel vision, tunnel hearing).

OODA begins: you Observe a wreck in progress ahead: it's a potential danger or threat. You Orientate on what's happening (the wreck fills your mind and senses). You Decide on a course of action: hit the brakes? Swerve left? Swerve right? Once a course of action has been decided on, you Act: you hit the brakes, or whatever you decided to do.

But here's the problem. In trying to Decide on a course of action, if you HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO YOU WILL BE STUCK IN THAT PHASE. You will do nothing. You FREEZE UP. "Deer in the headlights." You can't complete the cycle to doing something so you basically do nothing.

A sudden car crash is an extreme example, but this applies to EVERY PERCEIVED DANGER. If you read a news report about impending martial law, the SAME PROCESS takes place. Unless you do not recognise the news report as presenting a threat. An internet post about Martians invading by Christmas will probably elicit a laugh rather than an adrenalin response. Unless you think alien invasions are possibly real, that is. (You never get to the Observe a threat phase of the OODA cycle because it's not a perceived danger to you.)

But hearing "bad news" can trigger the adrenalin response if you recognise the news portrays a threat or danger that is POSSIBLE.

When stuck in the OODA loop, though, panic sets in. Realising you can't Decide, you recognise that indecision as an additional danger. It starts all over again with now TWO threats: the original threat, and the new threat of not doing something. It compounds and everything gets worse.

On the other hand, if you have already developed options and Decided what to do BEFORE YOU ARE IN THE SITUATION, then the Deciding part is near instantaneous. You don't get stuck, you move right to Action to deal with whatever is going on. That's the point of preparation and training: to avoid having to figure out what to do in a situation while you're in the middle of it. You figure it out beforehand, like a fire drill, taking defensive driving classes, etc.

But that adrenalin response IS NOT FEAR. Fear is the mental process you choose to follow in response to your situation. Fear manifests as thoughts of failing to successfully handle the situation. Lack of preparation and training produces much fear. Prior planning helps eliminate fear, because you have CONFIDENCE in how you are going to handle the situation.

The adrenalin response is ENERGY. It is a boost of nitro power that helps you deal with dangers. Lack of understanding things, lack of proper perspective of perceived threats, leads to increased adrenalin response, because molehills are necessarily treated like mountains. Your physiology will assume the worst unless you are prepared through knowledge and training. So it will hit harder.

The mind then goes on a journey of what ifs and scenarios. If the mind is not disciplined via prior preparation and planning and education and training, those scenarios are doom and gloom. Which triggers more threat responses (adrenalin), which sustains the mental process of freaking out about it all. A vicious cycle.

Understanding adrenalin is a God given tool, and that fear is a MENTAL RESPONSE TO ADRENALIN RATHER THAN THE ADRENALIN DUMP ITSELF, goes a long way towards reducing fear-thinking. Prior planning takes you even further.

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil (Prov 8:13). Therefore the fear of the Lord is a conscious choice, not an involuntary sensation of adrenalin. The same is true of ALL fear: it is a choice, a choice of thoughts and thinking processes and actions, not mere sensations or feelings. Feelings may produce fear. Or not. Depends on YOU.

[Pressing-On]

Synopsis: DO NOT look at the man behind the curtain. :heeheehee

The job of the media is to bombard us with negative news feed. What is your job?

[Esaias]

Synopsis: DO NOT look at the man behind the curtain. :heeheehee

The job of the media is to bombard us with negative news feed. What is your job?

I have no idea what you are talking about.

[n david]

Synopsis: DO NOT look at the man behind the curtain. :heeheehee

The job of the media is to bombard us with negative news feed. What is your job?

:thumbsup

[Esaias]

Genesis 20:11 KJV
And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

Genesis 26:7 KJV
And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he , the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

Not all fear is bad and to be avoided. Both Abraham and Isaac had the same fear: that the locals would kill them in order to take their wives. In the first instance, Abraham recognises the locals have no fear of God. Therefore he concluded it was possible they would kill him and seize Sarah. He was "afraid" they might very well follow such an evil course of action. Was he fretting? No, he prepared a means to protect himself and his wife from the danger. Did his plan succeed? In a sense, yes, but in another sense no. Not all plans succeed. But only a fool would conclude it was better to make no plans than to make a plan that might fail.

The same is true of Isaac's situation. In both cases there was a legitimate fear. In both cases a plan of action was developed and acted on to deal with the possible threat. True, in both cases things started going sideways, and in both cases Divine Providence intervened. But the basic concept remains: fear is not always unreasonable.

Which brings me to the point: What is fear, again? Fear is a thought process in response to a perceived threat. It is not the perception of a threat, with it's physical and emotional effects that necessarily accompany and are part of the perception. Rather, fear is a thought process that occurs as a result of the perception. Fear occurs after you perceive "X could occur and X is a danger" and THEN you think "I don't want X to happen" or "I don't want bad results if X happens."

Why do you look both ways before crossing the street? Because you fear getting hit by a car. Are you shaking in terror and despairing of ever surviving a road crossing? No. Why not? Because you HAVE A PLAN TO DEAL WITH WHAT YOU FEAR HAPPENING.

That kind of fear is good and beneficial because it keeps you from being the bug on somebody's windshield.

Fear is bad when you have no plan. You get stuck in the OODA cycle and cannot complete it. You have no plan so you have no confidence.

Genesis 26:24 KJV
And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.

God says fear not. Upon what basis? Just because? Just because fear is bad in and of itself? No, rather fear not because there's a plan. God is with you and will bless thee. Thoughts and scenarios of failure are now seen as illusory and not possible. So we are not to fear, because God is with us and will bless us. Doesn't mean we are to have no fear of possible dangers (that is, it doesn't mean we are not to recognise threats when they appear or fail to take action to mitigate those threats. It means we are not to get stuck in a fear cycle of negative expectations of success. That is, we are not to conclude all is lost.

We ARE to fear God:

Genesis 22:12 KJV
And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Matthew 10:28 KJV
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The fear of God begins with a recognition of danger: the danger of Divine retribution or punishment for sin. It proceeds in a thought process: I don't want Divine punishment for sin to occur, therefore I shall avoid sin and obey God and do what is right. That is good and healthy. Everyone should fear to sin and thereby incur Divine wrath. Not that anyone should think they WILL sin, and thus incur wrath. But everyone should think that IF they sin, they will incur God's wrath. That is the fear of God, that is not only healthy, but necessary, and moreover it is a moral duty.

Fear in and of itself is not bad. It just is. What gives it moral character, what determines if it is a positive or negative, what decides if it is to be shunned or embraced, all depend on the object of the fear and the person's actions or lack thereof.

Fear is not to be feared, it is to be managed properly like everything else God gives us.

[Esaias]

Psalm 112:7-8 KJV
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord . [8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

The righteous is not afraid of evil tidings (bad news). It is not because he ignores the evil tidings. It is not because he prevents anyone bringing him evil tidings. He does not run away from evil tidings.

Rather, he hears the evil tidings, recognizes the news is not good, BUT DOES NOT FEAR. Why does he not fear? Not because he dismisses the evil tidings. Not because he disbelieves the evil tidings. But because he trusts in the Lord. His heart is fixed. Whether it's good news or bad news, his HEART is FIXED.

It is nailed in place. Set in concrete. Immovable. His heart is not sent on a dizzying spiral of despair when he is exposed to evil tidings. His heart stays settled and focused. It is fixed. He KEEPS HIMSELF FROM FRETTING AND STRESSING OUT AND PANICKING. How? By fixing his confidence in God.

He shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies. He is CONFIDENT of a successful outcome based on His trust in God. He CHOSE to put his confidence in God, so evil tidings do not cause him to engage in a thought process of speculative projected FAILURE, nor of panic and worry (distress). Instead he CHOOSES to engage in thought processes that project and predict victory over the obstacles based on His knowledge of God, His promises, His faithfulness, and his relationship with Him.

Nowhere in this is the idea given that evil tidings are to be avoided nor must they always be accompanied with a disclaimer that says "Don't worry, it's all good, go back to what you were doing."

[Michael The Disciple]

Psalm 112:7-8 KJV
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord . [8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

The righteous is not afraid of evil tidings (bad news). It is not because he ignores the evil tidings. It is not because he prevents anyone bringing him evil tidings. He does not run away from evil tidings.

Rather, he hears the evil tidings, recognizes the news is not good, BUT DOES NOT FEAR. Why does he not fear? Not because he dismisses the evil tidings. Not because he disbelieves the evil tidings. But because he trusts in the Lord. His heart is fixed. Whether it's good news or bad news, his HEART is FIXED.

It is nailed in place. Set in concrete. Immovable. His heart is not sent on a dizzying spiral of despair when he is exposed to evil tidings. His heart stays settled and focused. It is fixed. He KEEPS HIMSELF FROM FRETTING AND STRESSING OUT AND PANICKING. How? By fixing his confidence in God.

He shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies. He is CONFIDENT of a successful outcome based on His trust in God. He CHOSE to put his confidence in God, so evil tidings do not cause him to engage in a thought process of speculative projected FAILURE, nor of panic and worry (distress). Instead he CHOOSES to engage in thought processes that project and predict victory over the obstacles based on His knowledge of God, His promises, His faithfulness, and his relationship with Him.

Nowhere in this is the idea given that evil tidings are to be avoided nor must they always be accompanied with a disclaimer that says "Don't worry, it's all good, go back to what you were doing."

Excellent message.:highfive

[coksiw]

Do you think every one in this forum has a dilemma between fear vs faith?

[Jito463]

Do you think every one in this forum has a dilemma between fear vs faith?

Everyone who's ever lived has had to deal with fear versus faith. Even Jesus prayed to have the bitter cup of the cross taken from Him.

[mfblume]

Nowhere in this is the idea given that evil tidings are to be avoided nor must they always be accompanied with a disclaimer that says "Don't worry, it's all good, go back to what you were doing."

But we should carry on through what we know with the admonition to stay secure, and not ignore it. Just learn strong faith in the face of fear, which does not mean forget about or pretend there is no existence for the things that can cause fear that we face.

[mfblume]

Not sure if this comes thorugh here:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.reed.1213/videos/3166216406745414

Can everyone see this video from this link? You made need a facebook account, likely.

[coksiw]

Everyone who's ever lived has had to deal with fear versus faith. Even Jesus prayed to have the bitter cup of the cross taken from Him.

My question was in the context of COVID, which is the context of this post as far as I can see.

[Esaias]

The term "conspiracy theory" and its derivatives were developed and popularised by the CIA to create a Pavlovian response in mind-controlled people. It's a propaganda term.

The "accident theorists" are generally clueless, and willfully so.

[Esaias]

Do you think every one in this forum has a dilemma between fear vs faith?

No. But there are a handful of rather vocal posters who seem to be so full of fear that any post that doesn't focus entirely on rainbows and warm fuzzies is labelled by them as "fear mongering" and "promotion of fear". So I just thought I'd provide some sane relief to the pearl clutching. :thumbsup

[mfblume]

The term "conspiracy theory" and its derivatives were developed and popularised by the CIA to create a Pavlovian response in mind-controlled people. It's a propaganda term.

The "accident theorists" are generally clueless, and willfully so.

There really are conspiracy theory nuts, though. Ancient Aliens. Lizard men in the White House and CIA. Flat Earth. Jesuits, Illuminati, Masons. A grain of truth behind the ideas. On and on.

I was heavy into that in my teens and early 20's when the Lord rebuked me and told me I should be spending as much time in his word instead. I got the message quickly.

That's no reflection an anyone here, BTW. Just my experience with it all.

[Esaias]

But we should carry on through what we know with the admonition to stay secure, and not ignore it. Just learn strong faith in the face of fear, which does not mean forget about or pretend there is no existence for the things that can cause fear that we face.

Is that not what I said?



Genesis 26:24 KJV
And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.

God says fear not. Upon what basis? Just because? Just because fear is bad in and of itself? No, rather fear not because there's a plan. God is with you and will bless thee. Thoughts and scenarios of failure are now seen as illusory and not possible. So we are not to fear, because God is with us and will bless us. Doesn't mean we are to have no fear of possible dangers (that is, it doesn't mean we are not to recognise threats when they appear or fail to take action to mitigate those threats. It means we are not to get stuck in a fear cycle of negative expectations of success. That is, we are not to conclude all is lost.



And:

Psalm 112:7-8 KJV
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord . [8] His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

The righteous is not afraid of evil tidings (bad news). It is not because he ignores the evil tidings. It is not because he prevents anyone bringing him evil tidings. He does not run away from evil tidings.

Rather, he hears the evil tidings, recognizes the news is not good, BUT DOES NOT FEAR. Why does he not fear? Not because he dismisses the evil tidings. Not because he disbelieves the evil tidings. But because he trusts in the Lord. His heart is fixed. Whether it's good news or bad news, his HEART is FIXED.

It is nailed in place. Set in concrete. Immovable. His heart is not sent on a dizzying spiral of despair when he is exposed to evil tidings. His heart stays settled and focused. It is fixed. He KEEPS HIMSELF FROM FRETTING AND STRESSING OUT AND PANICKING. How? By fixing his confidence in God.

He shall not be afraid until he see his desire upon his enemies. He is CONFIDENT of a successful outcome based on His trust in God. He CHOSE to put his confidence in God, so evil tidings do not cause him to engage in a thought process of speculative projected FAILURE, nor of panic and worry (distress). Instead he CHOOSES to engage in thought processes that project and predict victory over the obstacles based on His knowledge of God, His promises, His faithfulness, and his relationship with Him.

Nowhere in this is the idea given that evil tidings are to be avoided nor must they always be accompanied with a disclaimer that says "Don't worry, it's all good, go back to what you were doing."

Yes, that is what I said.

[Esaias]

There really are conspiracy theory nuts, though. Ancient Aliens. Lizard men in the White House and CIA. Flat Earth. Jesuits, Illuminati, Masons. A grain of truth behind the ideas. On and on.

I was heavy into that in my teens and early 20's when the Lord rebuked me and told me I should be spending as much time in his word instead. I got the message quickly.

That's no reflection an anyone here, BTW. Just my experience with it all.

Reptilians and alien grays and flat earth are intentionally designed to distract everyone from Jesuits, Freemasonry, international banksters, and globalists.

There are "Bible nuts" who have "a grain of truth behind the ideas" but we don't admonish people to avoid the Bible because of them.

This thread isn't about conspiracies, anyway. It's about a proper, sensible, and Biblical understanding of "fear".

[Michael The Disciple]

But we should carry on through what we know with the admonition to stay secure, and not ignore it. Just learn strong faith in the face of fear, which does not mean forget about or pretend there is no existence for the things that can cause fear that we face.

A big part of peaching"fear" is that its a MOTIVATION for people who are not where they should be. Jesus used it all the time.

[mfblume]

Reptilians and alien grays and flat earth are intentionally designed to distract everyone from Jesuits, Freemasonry, international banksters, and globalists.


I doubt that

But that's me.

Anyway, the bottom line is we cannot do anything about any of these issues, except pray for God's will to be done and do some spiritual warfare on our knees. And we do have to watch how we focus on things.

I recall one man who was so into listening to the stuff about freemasons and Jesuits, that he began to feel a sense of hopelessness. We do not see the ministers in the word focus on that stuff at all. Just passing references to things.

I experienced it.

I have not been following every post but just noticing the sheer number of posts of this nature, so you may have very well warned of faith to be had. No offense, but I disagree wiht the emphasis of late.

[mfblume]

A big part of peaching"fear" is that its a MOTIVATION for people who are not where they should be. Jesus used it all the time.

I totally disagree.

[Esaias]

I doubt that

But that's me.

Whatever floats yer boat. :thumbsup

Anyway, the bottom line is we cannot do anything about any of these issues, except pray for God's will to be done and do some spiritual warfare on our knees.

Exactly what the powers that be want us to believe. There is plenty to be done but too many preachers tell the flock to essentially do nothing, just pray. And so nothing gets done. Here is a thread on spiritual warfare where I allow the Bible to define it, which is contrary to 99% of the fantasy nonsense touted in Christendom as "spiritual warfare" these days: http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=53578

And we do have to watch how we focus on things.

I recall one man who was so into listening to the stuff about freemasons and Jesuits, that he began to feel a sense of hopelessness. We do not see the ministers in the word focus on that stuff at all. Just passing references to things.

He felt helpless because, as I pointed out in this very thread, he had no PLAN and no CONFIDENCE. The helplessness so many have is LEARNED. Learned helplessness, often taught in churches where the default response to all things is usually do nothing but pray or donate money. As for ministers in the Word not focusing on certain things, all Bible prophecy from Genesis to Revelation is the declaration of the greatest conspiracy of all - GOD'S CONSPIRACY, with history itself being the visible effects of His behind-the-scenes activities.



I have not been following every post but just noticing the sheer number of posts of this nature, so you may have very well warned of faith to be had. No offense, but I disagree wiht the emphasis of late.

Posts of what nature? Posts that literally quote the CDC saying their tests are pure baloney? Posts that quote a billionaire saying he's spending his billions to convince people to enslave themselves to his database digital control system? Ad nauseum? I may have warned of faith to be had?

If a person tells you "Hey the local drug dealer said he's planning on killing you this week" and then points you to the drug dealer's Instagram video where he says exactly that... is that like "making posts of this nature"?

When everyone around you is regurgitating dangerous lies, is it not the DUTY of a Christian to speak the truth and identify the lies for what thry are?

Why, yes it is.

Why the widespread emphasis on getting people to be quiet and stop pointing things out about the emperor's new clothes? Do you not see why some of us say the clueless masses are WILLINGLY ignorant? They don't want to hear anything except sweet nothings and lullabyes.

Me? I'm the crazy uncle who ruins the tea party.

[Pressing-On]

I doubt that

But that's me.

Anyway, the bottom line is we cannot do anything about any of these issues, except pray for God's will to be done and do some spiritual warfare on our knees. And we do have to watch how we focus on things.

I recall one man who was so into listening to the stuff about freemasons and Jesuits, that he began to feel a sense of hopelessness. We do not see the ministers in the word focus on that stuff at all. Just passing references to things.

I experienced it.

I have not been following every post but just noticing the sheer number of posts of this nature, so you may have very well warned of faith to be had. No offense, but I disagree wiht the emphasis of late.

Well said! :highfive

[mfblume]

Anyway, the bottom line is we cannot do anything about any of these issues, except pray for God's will to be done and do some spiritual warfare on our knees.
Exactly what the powers that be want us to believe. There is plenty to be done but too many preachers tell the flock to essentially do nothing, just pray. And so nothing gets done. Here is a thread on spiritual warfare where I allow the Bible to define it, which is contrary to 99% of the fantasy nonsense touted in Christendom as "spiritual warfare" these days: http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com/showthread.php?t=53578


Sorry I totally disagree with you there. I guess I can add this to your sabbath understanding. We just are WAAAAY far apart on these two issues.

I have seen God do wonders by sheer prayer in dealing with situations.

And God's word deals with this and does not talk about protesting with placards and sharing videos:

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

God will send in armies of angels at our prayers and faith for Him to work.

I hope this does not come between some great chats we are having. Sorry, I disagree with you on this, though. What comes to mind is how sinners who do not even know God focus on these things. While there are things we can do as in actually speak to our governing people, some things we cannot do. There are too many unproved things in youtube videos. We have to have "faith" in what these exposers are saying.

Sorry, I am against all these posts.

But, again, I hope that remains as nothing personal against you, good bro, as it actually is not.

[coksiw]

No. But there are a handful of rather vocal posters who seem to be so full of fear that any post that doesn't focus entirely on rainbows and warm fuzzies is labelled by them as "fear mongering" and "promotion of fear". So I just thought I'd provide some sane relief to the pearl clutching. :thumbsup

Gotcha

[Esaias]

Sorry I totally disagree with you there. I guess I can add this to your sabbath understanding. We just are WAAAAY far apart on these two issues.

I have seen God do wonders by sheer prayer in dealing with situations.

And God's word deals with this and does not talk about protesting with placards and sharing videos:

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

God will send in armies of angels at our prayers and faith for Him to work.

I hope this does not come between some great chats we are having. Sorry, I disagree with you on this, though. What comes to mind is how sinners who do not even know God focus on these things. While there are things we can do as in actually speak to our governing people, some things we cannot do. There are too many unproved things in youtube videos. We have to have "faith" in what these exposers are saying.

Sorry, I am against all these posts.

But, again, I hope that remains as nothing personal against you, good bro, as it actually is not.

No, I completely understand we have two very different points of view regarding the proper response to the global silliness that is happening. I suspect each of us has a role to play in this great drama of life, yet we both try to tell people the answer ultimately lies with Jesus Christ. So I'm glad for that and have no reason to make this something personal.

And let me clarify about prayer, just so everyone understands what I'm saying here. Prayer is vital (the thread I linked to on spiritual warfare emphasises that) but I feel too often we forget faith without works is dead. Jesus told the disciples to pray for laborers to help in the harvest then immediately sent them into the fields. They were themselves part of the answer to their own prayers.

[Esaias]

But getting back to the main topic here, let me repeat: fear is not the felt immediate reaction to evil tidings. Fear is the mental path one takes afterwards. And, not all fear is bad.

[n david]

This thread isn't about conspiracies, anyway. It's about a proper, sensible, and Biblical understanding of "fear".
With the exception of this thread, I have yet to read another recent thread with a "proper, sensible, and Biblical understanding of fear." Most of it has been exaggerated or misleading claims of doom and gloom. That's not "proper, sensible, or Biblical."

[Pressing-On]

With the exception of this thread, I have yet to read another recent thread with a "proper, sensible, and Biblical understanding of fear." Most of it has been exaggerated or misleading claims of doom and gloom. That's not "proper, sensible, or Biblical."

Couldn’t have said it better! :thumbsup

[KeptByTheWord]

I am not burying my head in the sand about what is going on around us, and certainly have found lots of information that is worrisome about the current global situation. I could certainly use this information to spin out a message of fear but I choose not to.

There is a time and a place for fear, but it should be a godly fear, not a paralyzing, condemning, irrational fear of a pandemic or some off-the-wall conspiracy theory that may or may not have some truth to it.

I believe we need to be aware, we need to recognize that evil does rule this world, always has and always will. That has never changed. But until Jesus returns to set things right, things will never be right. Evil will always prevail until the devil is chained up and sent to his eternal destiny forever, which certainly hasn't happened yet.

Yes, we can armor up with the armor of God, to pray and intercede for each other, and for Christians around the world, and to realize we are fighting a spiritual warfare here. But we do not need to cow-toe to the prevalence of fear mongering that the media push, or that the powers that be want us to.

We need to have our lamps trimmed and burning bright, we need to be watching... but we must not be cowering, or hiding our light. We must shine the light of the gospel through whatever we share, and whatever we do. We are the light in the darkness of this world.

[KeptByTheWord]

With the exception of this thread, I have yet to read another recent thread with a "proper, sensible, and Biblical understanding of fear." Most of it has been exaggerated or misleading claims of doom and gloom. That's not "proper, sensible, or Biblical."

Agreed.

[Pressing-On]

I have seen God do wonders by sheer prayer in dealing with situations.


I am not burying my head in the sand about what is going on around us, and certainly have found lots of information that is worrisome about the current global situation. I could certainly use this information to spin out a message of fear but I choose not to.

There is a time and a place for fear, but it should be a godly fear, not a paralyzing, condemning, irrational fear of a pandemic or some off-the-wall conspiracy theory that may or may not have some truth to it.

I believe we need to be aware, we need to recognize that evil does rule this world, always has and always will. That has never changed. But until Jesus returns to set things right, things will never be right. Evil will always prevail until the devil is chained up and sent to his eternal destiny forever, which certainly hasn't happened yet.

Yes, we can armor up with the armor of God, to pray and intercede for each other, and for Christians around the world, and to realize we are fighting a spiritual warfare here. But we do not need to cow-toe to the prevalence of fear mongering that the media push, or that the powers that be want us to.

We need to have our lamps trimmed and burning bright, we need to be watching... but we must not be cowering, or hiding our light. We must shine the light of the gospel through whatever we share, and whatever we do. We are the light in the darkness of this world.

I agree! Brother Blume has the most succinct answer to all of our dilemmas. :thumbsup

[Michael The Disciple]

With the exception of this thread, I have yet to read another recent thread with a "proper, sensible, and Biblical understanding of fear." Most of it has been exaggerated or misleading claims of doom and gloom. That's not "proper, sensible, or Biblical."

Gloom and doom is whats happening around you right now. Its meant to wake people up. They are so soundly sleeping they are completely missing the warning. Country in captivity, great depression far worse than 1929 to take hold. War with China a distinct possibility.

Titanic going down. But the WORSE THING one can do is fear! Fear COULD BE AMERICAS FRIEND right now! We have shamed the watchmen.

[Pressing-On]

Gloom and doom is whats happening around you right now. Its meant to wake people up. They are so soundly sleeping they are completely missing the warning. Country in captivity, great depression far worse than 1929 to take hold. War with China a distinct possibility.

Titanic going down. But the WORSE THING one can do is fear! Fear COULD BE AMERICAS FRIEND right now! We have shamed the watchmen.

If we are going to put out doom and gloom, we better closely follow with - God is able. That is not happening with all the threads we are being bombarded with. It just appears to be a bad news cycle. I think that is all we are trying to say.

[Michael The Disciple]

If we are going to put out doom and gloom, we better closely follow with - God is able. That is not happening with all the threads we are being bombarded with. It just appears to be a bad news cycle. I think that is all we are trying to say.

People who are asleep cant handle what goes with the "God is able" message. God is and has always been able. He has a controversy with his people, as well as the nations. The first thing that has to happen is to admit we are in serious danger.

[Esaias]

If we are going to put out doom and gloom, we better closely follow with - God is able. That is not happening with all the threads we are being bombarded with. It just appears to be a bad news cycle. I think that is all we are trying to say.

Not a problem. Consider it fixed. :thumbsup

[mfblume]

No, I completely understand we have two very different points of view regarding the proper response to the global silliness that is happening. I suspect each of us has a role to play in this great drama of life, yet we both try to tell people the answer ultimately lies with Jesus Christ. So I'm glad for that and have no reason to make this something personal.

And let me clarify about prayer, just so everyone understands what I'm saying here. Prayer is vital (the thread I linked to on spiritual warfare emphasises that) but I feel too often we forget faith without works is dead. Jesus told the disciples to pray for laborers to help in the harvest then immediately sent them into the fields. They were themselves part of the answer to their own prayers.

:thumbsup

[KeptByTheWord]

Not a problem. Consider it fixed. :thumbsup

:thumbsup