Freed from Fear

Who has immunity to fear? It seems like we are born with it. There is always something that we fear about. Some fear the future. Some fear dying. Others fear getting married. Yet, others fear being single for life. Come to think about it, man has a lot of fears. Some experience fear that is so intense and extreme that it affects their way of life. This is called phobia. Phobia is defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as an exaggerated and illogical fear of objects and situations. They are not the usual fears that we have. To have the ordinary fears in life is already something very difficult to deal with but having phobia increased that difficulty to a higher level.

We can be freed from fears. I guess, I have inherited the genes for being fearful from my mother. My mother had always something to worry and fear about. Back when I was very young, I would cry in the middle of the night when the room suddenly floods in utter blackness. Yes, I was very afraid of the dark. You may say that is natural but for people who experience fear of something there is a sense of limitation. It feels like we are not free. We always have to do something to keep us away from that fear. Now that I am grown up, I also developed anxiety symptoms. I could not remain inside a small room or a car without ending up breathless and panicky. Even when I am on an airplane, I have to listen to music to keep me from fainting because I find it hard to breath. It feels like the space is too small and it is closing up on me. I feel suffocated. Over time, I realized, no amount of positive thinking could relieve me from this disorder. It became worst that I could not sleep at night without feeling like I am running out of air. Yet, here I am now, well and getting better. I still experience some panic attacks from time to time but rarely. How was I released from this fear? Jesus! Jesus is the only way. He gave me peace. That is no surprise because Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27. And I received just that. I felt peaceful. His Word calms my mind. I do not even fear death anymore. I know who holds my tomorrow and who holds my life. No fear can stand in the name of Jesus. Fear does not come from him. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”– 2 Timothy 1:7. When fear knocks you again, call on the name of Jesus. He can set you free from any fear.