Halloween was just a few days ago and the season always gets me thinking about fear. Honestly, it’s hard not to think about fear when you’re constantly surrounded by so many scary images everywhere you look. If you turn on the TV many of the channels have some sort of scary movie on. If you walk into a store goblins and witches decorate the displays. It seems like everywhere you go this time of the year, you’re surrounded by scary images. All these things got me thinking about what fear is and what it does in our lives. So here are three facts about fear.
No one is immune to fear.
There are lots of subjects that don’t always apply to everyone. Not everyone deals with suicidal thoughts. Not everyone deals with self-esteem problems. However, each of us deal with fear in our lives. We might be afraid of different things, but we all have fear. Some of us are afraid to speak in front of others. Other people fear death, flying, sleeping, or tons of other things. No matter the type of fear we have, the thing is we all have in common is that we deal with fear.
Fear Slows Us Down
Fear stops us in our tracks. If you’re afraid to fly, it stops you from getting on an airplane. Your fear of flying stops you from enjoying getting to somewhere quickly. It doesn’t matter what fear you face, fear stops you from living your life to it’s fullest.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. – John 10:10
This verse describes what fear does in our lives. It kills and destroys. It also shows us that fear is not something that God designed. God doesn’t want you to no longer enjoy living your life. God wants you to enjoy live and live it to the fullest!
Love takes away fear
When you really get to know God’s love for you, it removes fear from your life. When you see how much God cares about you and wants to take care of you, you begin to realize that you have nothing to fear.
There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. – 1 John 4:18 (Message)
When you begin to get an understanding of God’s love for you, you realize you have no reason to fear. If you struggle with fear in your life, then spend some time reading your Bible. Begin to focus on God’s love for you, and you’ll realize that you have nothing to fear. God has taken care of everything you need.
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If fear is something that you really struggle with, take some time to get open and honest before God. Realize that you can go to Him with your fears. Also, spend time reading your Bible. The more of God’s word you get into your heart, the more you realize there is nothing for you to fear. God has provided everything you need!
If you’re a youth leader and you liked this lesson, you can download a lesson outline and discussion questions to share with your youth group.
