It is important to understand the nature of fear and how it impacts us physically. Fear is a natural reaction that prompts our bodies to produce adrenaline, which gives us extra strength to deal with a crisis. That is why men have been known to lift a car off an injured person that they normally couldn’t do otherwise.
However, when we fear needlessly—when we assume there’s reason to fear—our body still produces adrenaline because the body doesn’t know the difference between real fear and assumed fear. The longer we fear unnecessarily and the longer adrenaline courses through our bodies, adrenaline works against us and causes worry, stress, depression, sickness, and disease.
If not countered and overcome by the promises and comforts of God, fear can open the door to the demonic spirit of fear. However, “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Dr. Wright identifies “power” as the Holy Spirit, “love” as the Father, and “sound mind” as the mind of Christ. Instead of providing a room in our hearts for the demonic, we should seek safe shelter in God’s heart of love for us.
The apostle John wrote, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). If we fear, there’s a love deficit somewhere. God is love, so if there’s a love deficit, it’s because we don’t know Him or trust Him well enough. I pray that the devotionals in my new book Fear Not for I Am with You will convince you that with Him—Immanuel, “God with us,” the God who never leaves or forsakes—there’s no reason to fear.
However, when we fear needlessly—when we assume there’s reason to fear—our body still produces adrenaline because the body doesn’t know the difference between real fear and assumed fear. The longer we fear unnecessarily and the longer adrenaline courses through our bodies, adrenaline works against us and causes worry, stress, depression, sickness, and disease.
If not countered and overcome by the promises and comforts of God, fear can open the door to the demonic spirit of fear. However, “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Dr. Wright identifies “power” as the Holy Spirit, “love” as the Father, and “sound mind” as the mind of Christ. Instead of providing a room in our hearts for the demonic, we should seek safe shelter in God’s heart of love for us.
The apostle John wrote, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). If we fear, there’s a love deficit somewhere. God is love, so if there’s a love deficit, it’s because we don’t know Him or trust Him well enough. I pray that the devotionals in my new book Fear Not for I Am with You will convince you that with Him—Immanuel, “God with us,” the God who never leaves or forsakes—there’s no reason to fear.