- Many people are plagued with fear, worry, concern and doubt.
- Yet over and over we see in the Bible how that we should not worry and fear. But it is innate to human beings. I believe that God wants to help us today.
- Recently I have been fearful and worried about a certain practical aspect of my life. I must admit that I found it difficult to release it to God. The moment that I thought I had released it I would begin to think of the problem from another angle. But as I managed to give it to Him, I was able to experience a release.
- What fears and burdens are you carrying today?
- Could you find the courage in your heart to give them to God?

- Human fears are many. Each individual has his/her own battle.
- We have fears regarding almost every conceivable aspect of life.
- It is highly likely that when you got up this morning you had some concern regarding this day on your mind.
- We do have fears about today. Are you facing any fears for today?
- It may be that you are fearful about where the next meal will come from, or that you are fearful that you may lose your job or your business or your health.
- God wants to take care of our fears for today.

- We have many fears regarding the future.
- Fears regarding a time frame that we know nothing about as yet.
- I remember my own mother telling me that she had two fears regarding my life. The first was that there would be no money to pay for my university training and second that there would be no money to give me a decent 21st birthday party. Both these fears never realised.
- I have discovered that the fear of the future and the 'unknownness' of the future, is something many people really battle with.
- Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are - high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean - nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when He died for us.

- Often times we are facing hidden fears.
- These are fears within our hearts that others do not know and do not even realise we are battling with.
- A parent may have fears concerning their children, and the children have no knowledge of this fear.
- An employer may have fears concerning the state of his business and his staff may have no knowledge of it.
- Often times we find ourselves walking around with fears within us.
- I am glad to tell even some of the great men in the Bile experienced this.
- 2 Corinthians 7:5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn - conflicts on the outside, fears within.
- God wants to help us with these fears on the inside as well.

- What is the alternative?
- How shall we live?
- I believe I have an answer. It may not be that easy, but it is the answer.
- We will need to trust God.
- Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, He said to the father, "Don't be afraid! Just trust me, and she'll be all right."
- Jesus gave us the alternative - 'Don't be afraid! Just trust me.'
- Begin to replace your fear with a trusting in God.
- This is the alternative.

- We all face different fears.
- I know a dear older couple who said: 'It takes courage to get old.'
- At the different stages of life there are different fears we have to deal with.
- Whatever fear you may be facing, let me reassure you and tell you that God wants to take care of those aspects as well.
- Psalm 91:5-6 Now you don't need to be afraid of the dark anymore, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.
- Here is the reassuring fact from God: 'You don't need to be afraid.'
- 1 Peter 5:7 'Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.'

- Many people battle with this fear.
- They fear death and the process of death.
- I believe this is primarily because of the fact that death is so final and so unknown.
- But God came to deliver us and free us from this very real fear.
- Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

- If God is with us we do not need to fear.
- Psalm 23:4 I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
- 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.
- God's love within us has the power to remove and drive out our fears.
- Fear is such a stronghold in our lives that it needs to be driven out.
- We must deal with fear ruthlessly.
- Don't give in to fear and give it a foothold in your life.
- Romans 8:31 What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?

- Listen to what we hear over and over again, in the Bible.
- Something that God said repeatedly.
- DO NOT FEAR!
- Joshua 8:1 Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Don't be afraid or discouraged."
- Judges 6:23 "It's all right," the Lord replied. "Don't be afraid! You shall not die."
- Isaiah 41:13  I am holding you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God - and I say to you, Don't be afraid; I am here to help you.
- Isaiah 8:13 Don't fear anything except the Lord of the armies of heaven! If you fear Him, you need fear nothing else.

- God is the only one we should fear.
- Fear, with its debilitating influence should not be given the first place in our lives.
- Often times it is our fears that get the greatest amount of attention from our hearts and minds.
- If we can know God and His presence in our lives we can have the balance restored and fear Him and not fear all the earthly aspects of life.
- Matthew 10:28 Don't be afraid of those who can kill only your bodies - but can't touch your souls! Fear only God who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Proverbs 14:26 He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

- What is the alternative?
- How shall we live?
- I believe I have an answer. It may not be that easy, but it is the answer.
- We will need to trust God.
- Luke 8:50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, He said to the father, "Don't be afraid! Just trust me, and she'll be all right."
- Jesus gave us the alternative - 'Don't be afraid! Just trust me.'
- Begin to replace your fear with a trusting in God.
- This is the alternative.

- When it comes to the fears we all battle with, we can ask God for His help.
- If you are battling today, why not consider doing this.
- Go to God and call on Him to help you.
- I believe He will do just that and that He will step into our lives and help us.
- Psalm 34:4 For I cried to Him and He answered me! He freed (delivered) me from all my fears.
- The rewards are that we can know what it means to be delivered and freed from all our fears.
- That is the way I want to live.
- If you need God to help you in this regard, ask Him!