The Fear Factor

“Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:14

As a Christian woman, my whole life is a “giving back” to God of all that I am and all that He wants me to be. When we are discouraged, heavy in spirit, and troubled in the Christian life, who do we run to and what principles do we apply that will neutralize our next encounter with fear?

What American Women Fear the Most?

1. Public Speaking
2. Height
3. Bugs
4. Financial Problems
5. Deep Water
6. Sickness
7. Death
8. Flying
9. Loneliness
10. Dogs

We are all afraid of something! My testimony encompasses me living the Christian life and applying God’s order and techniques for confronting fear. It wasn’t always that way;

In Australia, we have a trade show called ‘Interbuild.’ Our Exhibition Center in Darling Harbour, is home to a bi-yearly trade-expo. It is the “crème-de-la-crème” of the industry.

This venue attracts professionals from various Architectural, Landscape Architectural, Building/Developing, and affiliated industries; we each lease an area for the duration of the expo, and display our products and services.

During the 1995 Sydney Expo, I was confronted with extreme fear. This particular day has left an indelible mark on my life, and gives me a balance with my present fears and a hope for all the unknowns. After all, if God got me through the worst, He’s not going to fail me with the rest!

“Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 41:14) – The river of God is full of our supplies!

I drove into the CBD, parked my car under the Exhibition Center and resumed my position at our Exhibitor’s Stand. International and local professionals lined the rows of displays which made for an interesting event. We were all there with the same objective – to sell our products and services to a potential market.

After a long day, I went for dinner to nearby China Town with a few international colleagues. Nothing could be further from my mind than fear and the threat-to-my-life.

As we concluded our dinner everyone parted ways and headed for the Exhibition Hall’s underground parking lot. At the onset, a Swiss colleague offered to escort me to my car. It’s amazing how ignorance can give you a false sense of security!

We had no sooner left the restaurant when suddenly, a man leapt out from behind a concrete barricade and shoved a 6-inch scaling knife under my nose. The blade reflected the moonlight and fear paralyzed my next move.

Mr. Swiss rolled away into the dark, leaving me alone with this homeless man and his fish knife. I looked into his face, threw my shoes aside, and took off running. Praise God, I was in peak-physical condition.

During the whole ordeal (and not realizing I had outrun him) my body forged faster than my legs and eventually, I crashed at full speed into a wall of scaffolding. As I curled up into a fetal position (fully expecting the blow from a 6-inch knife), I cried out, “Oh God – help me!” After a few more seconds nothing was happening and suddenly Mr. Swiss rolled back on the scene.

I was so confused by his cowardly escape and so hurt by the injuries I had sustained. But God spared my life that night and woke me up to the reality of fear and my future.

Whilst my story represents an extreme case of fear, when we get saved we are often reminded and confronted with the toughness of struggles in our every-day lives. Doesn’t the wrestling between our old flesh nature and the new-born principle of grace within us poise a fear-challenge for each of us one time or another? Giving up old and cherished habits is never easy!

The blizzard of fear can be so horrid at times that we don’t hear the words of our Master - "Fear not, I am with thee."

Before we can do any great thing for Christ there must be a sense of weakness, there must be a trust in promised strength and there must be ‘fear removed’ by that promise! When we are cast down – He lifts us up!

The “fear-factor” can mete out the youngest of Christians and the most veteran soldiers amongst us. What steps can we take to ensure victory before, during, and after our battle with fear?

Sense your weakness – “Fear not, thou worm Jacob” I think my pride down often; placing myself in comparison with God shrinks me into nothingness---when I consider the existence of God as much as my soul can comprehend, I realize what an insignificant speck I am when compared with my all-adorable Creator.

Trust in promised strength – “I will help thee” It doesn’t matter what God gives us to do, if He helps us – we can do it! He is all-sufficient and there is nothing beyond his power.

Fear removed by that promise – “Fear not” Fear is painful and weakening - it torments the spirit. The fear of God brings blessings, but the fear of men brings a snare. Fear dishonors God. Will the Faithful Promiser break His oath? God is too wise to err, too good to be unkind!” In trusting Him we put a crown on His head, but in doubting Him we trample His crown by His feet.

As a Christian woman who stays in His word, I am reminded to behave like a Christian. When I cringe, and dread, and doubt – I loose my Christian dignity and I am no longer what I should be. I do not honor God!

Remembrance is a cord to strike; reading God’s word and remembering what He has done in history – what He has done in other’s lives and what He has done in our own lives - HE WILL DO AGAIN!

When we use our mouths in prayer and in constant adoration we will conquer fear, for God is with us and victory is sure!

I am dedicating this story to a girlfriend gripped by fear – God Bless You as you overcome!

I Love You,

Deborah