How Do You Face Your Fears?

What makes you afraid? The list can be endless from turbulent storms, large dogs or spiders to being alone, being in crowds or looking down from great heights. People of this world deal with a variety of fears. Fear is a strong, unpleasant emotion or thought occurring when you are frightened or worried by something dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat that is happening or might happen. Whether the threat is real or imagined, the emotion of fear is real. Most people can easily list the things that cause them to be afraid, but the trickier question to answer is, how do you face your fears?

Elijah and Elisha were prophets used by God to share His messages with the people. Sometimes prophets encouraged faithfulness to God and other times, they called for repentance. In dealing with many difficult situations, both prophets often dealt with hostility, which would create fear in the heart of any man.

Elijah enters the scene during the reign of King Ahab in 1 Kings 17. With the severity of Israel’s sin, God directed Elijah to go before King Ahab and declare a drought on the land. Water would not return until God restored the rains through the word of Elijah. The King’s anger was so great, Elijah had to hide for fear of his life.

Later in 1 Kings 18, Obadiah, a godly man, helps King Ahab search the area for fertile pasture for the livestock. As the men separate ways to search, Obadiah runs into Elijah. Following God’s command to restore water to the land, Elijah asks Obadiah to arrange for King Ahab to meet him. Fear of the king’s anger caused Obadiah to hesitate, but assurance from Elijah of God’s protection led Obadiah to summon the king.

Moving forward to 2 Kings 3, Elijah’s replacement, Elisha, was approached by the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom. These kings had banned together to go up against the Moabites. However, after a seven-day march, water supplies were depleted, and spirits were down. King Jehoshaphat of Judah wanted to inquire of the Lord for next steps through Elisha. With the hand of the Lord upon him, Elisha was able to reveal how both water and victory would be provided.

In a familiar story from 2 Kings 5, we find Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army sick with leprosy. Hearing Elisha could restore him to health, he traveled to Israel. Elisha sent his messenger with simple instructions for Naaman. He was to dip down in the Jordan River seven times, and he would come up clean. Though angered with the task, Naaman was reminded of the simplicity of the request, completed the task, and saw the hand of God as his body was healed. He offered gifts in thanks, but Elisha refused them knowing healing came by the hand of God.

Quite different stories, yet one key phrase unites them all.

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain the years, except by my word.’” (1 Kings 17:1)

“And Elijah said, ‘As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.’” (1 Kings 18:15)

“And Elisha said, ‘As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you.’” (2 Kings 3:14)

“But he (Elisha) said, ‘As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.’” (2 Kings 5:16)

In every crisis where Elijah and Elisha faced hostile or fearful situations, they uttered the oath “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand.” In moments of strain or trial, issuing this phrase steadied their thoughts. They knew they served the living God. This was a very secret power for them. Anything they faced was done in God’s presence and strength. Elijah and Elisha could face anything because they had God.

When you keep the Lord before you and in you through all things, everything else diminishes down to nothingness. He goes before you and is the strength behind all He asks you to do. God completely surrounds you. He enables you to do all He asks of you, because He gives you all you need to do it. When you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and serve Him, you have God.

So, when you are afraid, how will you face your fears and the hostile situations you find yourself in? Remember, He has not given us the spirit of fear, instead, God has given us Him. The power Elijah and Elisha steadied themselves in is the same power that can steady you. Speak strength to yourself using their special oath, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand.”

In His Love,

Susan