Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:4
Sometimes it is hard to know what to say to someone in need. In the same way, you may have times in your life when the very things you need to hear are the things you do not want to hear. It could be that you don’t feel anything will help in your particular situation or maybe, from your perspective, it doesn’t seem possible that anything could help.
But, what about a situation that involves a fearful heart? Just having someone tell you to “be strong” is not going to take away the fear. Even if you know you need to be strong, it is not always as easy as it sounds. You may see the advantages of being strong and even strive to get the victory, but to no avail.
Well then, let’s take it to the next level. “When you are fearful-hearted, don’t just seek to be strong but also do not fear.” That was much easier said than done! That brings you right back to where you were; knowing what you need to do, but not seeing the way forward to do it. Having someone tell you these things that you already know does not necessarily help since, after all, you already know what you should do (be strong) and what you should not do (fear).
What is the answer then? First, identify the source of the problem so that you can deal with it at its root and not just treat the symptoms. Fear has to do with torment so it has to be based on condemnation. The enemy will attack you with the past through thoughts and feelings of unworthiness based on things already paid for by Jesus on the cross and he will attack you with the future through lies and deceit since you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
Once you remember that a fearful heart is a symptom of your imperfections and insecurities relating to your unchangeable past and unfathomable future, you are ready for the solution: God. If you had to carry the weight of your past and all of the unknowns of your future around with you all day, every day then you more than likely would face some seasons of fearful-heartedness. You can’t change your past or know your future so you really have no way to fix this in and of yourself. The Lord is always there for you to do what you cannot do for yourself.
One of the most basic needs everyone has is the need for love. Perfect love casts out fear. Even before a child learns to talk, they instinctively respond to love. A fearful heart needs a fresh infusion of love, the perfect love of God. You will never be able to change your past nor will you wake up one day and know all about your future. These things have to be put into the Lord’s hands (and left there!).
So, now you are ready to give a word in season to someone who is fearful-hearted (or maybe to receive this word for yourself if you find you are in this place), “Be strong, beloved of God, and do not fear. Behold, your God will come and save you!”
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