{"id":1110,"date":"2024-07-29T15:38:10","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T15:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=1110"},"modified":"2025-12-15T19:57:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T19:57:55","slug":"defeating-fear","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/defeating-fear\/","title":{"rendered":"DEFEATING FEAR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DEFEATING FEAR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LIVING FREE — LIVING UNAFRAID<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Samuel 17<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WELCOME:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good morning. As always, it is so good to see you here this morning. I hope you had a great week and are having a wonderful start to your weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s be clear — we live in a world filled with evil and pain and many scary things. It doesn\u2019t take much effort to find monsters living among us. But what\u2019s worse than monsters living among us \u2014 are the monsters living inside us. Those things that lurk just below the surface of our lives. We all have them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things like: FEAR, and ENVY, and LUST, and APATHY. And when these things are left unchecked \u2014 they have the potential to derail us from God\u2019s best<\/strong> and lead us into dark and destructive places. <\/strong>But through this series \u2014 I hope you are able to discover just how the gospel of Christ <\/strong>empowers you to confront and conquer the monsters that haunt us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And today I want us to discover how to defeat the monster of FEAR<\/strong> and learn to live unafraid!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I\u2019ve discovered through my years of ministry, there are many people who live their lives paralyzed by the monster of fear.<\/strong> For some it\u2019s the fear of failure<\/strong>. For others its the fear of rejection<\/strong>. Often its the fear of inadequacy<\/strong>. And at times its the fear of harm<\/strong> or poverty<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the dark days of the Great Depression, it was the then, sitting U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt<\/strong>, who made that famous statement which has often been recalled during frightful times. As he said, \u201cWe have nothing to fear but fear itself.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFear activates the enemy\u2019s work in our lives \u2014 in the same way faith activates God\u2019s work in our lives.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear <\/strong>is one of satan\u2019s favorite tools in seeking to destroy our lives and cause us to distrust Christ<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even so, the Word of God <\/strong>reminds us,\u201c\u2018The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.\u2019\u201d<\/em>(Hebrews 13:6<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Lord is my light and my salvation \u2013 so why should I be afraid?  The Lord protects me from danger \u2013 so why should I tremble?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 27:1 <\/strong>(NLT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This morning I want us to discover this truth \u2014 when we are afraid, when FEAR creeps up \u2014 we can put our trust in the Lord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So with that as sort of the foundation for today\u2019s message \u2014 let\u2019s look at a very familiar story to discover the path to defeating fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s found in the Old Testament<\/strong> book of 1<\/strong> Samuel<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In chapter 17<\/strong>, we find the story of David<\/strong> and Goliath<\/strong>. Now, I know this is a story that you\u2019re very familiar with \u2014 even our culture knows this story. But it\u2019s an important story, and it gives us the path to defeating the MONSTER<\/strong> we call FEAR<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, the backdrop of this 3000<\/strong> year<\/strong> old<\/strong> story<\/strong> is that its about conflict and intimidation. This story begins in a place called the Valley of Elah.<\/strong> It was a deep and arid valley filled with rocks and dust and thorns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One one side of the valley encamped the army<\/strong> of Israel<\/strong>. And on the other side encamped their greatest enemy \u2014 the Philistine<\/strong> army<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This ancient<\/strong> army<\/strong> was notorious for their vile<\/strong> practices<\/strong>. In honor of their false god Dagon<\/strong>, they conquered nations and enslaved their peoples. Believing their god was the god of fertility<\/strong>, they viewed sexuality in a pevereted way and used it as a tool to gain his favor. History tells us that they practiced religious prostitution<\/strong> and even human sacrifice <\/strong>to this pagan god.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, the Philistines<\/strong> weren\u2019t only standing against Israel<\/strong>, they were standing against everything that Israel<\/strong> held dear. They were awful people \u2014 vile and revulsive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what you really need to know is that they were massive and intimidating. They were like the big kid on the block. They were the bully in the neighborhood \u2014 and their army was massive. And their primary goal<\/strong> was to humiliate and enslave the nation of Israel<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even their warriors were large. One<\/strong> in<\/strong> particular<\/strong>. A man named Goliath<\/strong> of<\/strong> Gath<\/strong>. He was a beast of a man<\/strong>. And he stood over 9 feet tall. <\/strong>Daily he would step out of the Philistine<\/strong> ranks<\/strong> to taunt and defy the army of Israel<\/strong>. He brashly mocked God<\/strong> and made fun of the people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For forty days<\/strong>, he continued to belittle<\/strong> them<\/strong>. Every morning he would step out onto the battlefield, raise his voice and shame them publicly. And each morning the soldiers in Israel\u2019s<\/strong> army<\/strong> would cower in fear!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As so, with that we come to 1 Samuel 17. <\/strong>Beginning in verse 8<\/strong> we read these words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 <\/em><\/strong>A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. <\/em>5 <\/em><\/strong>He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; <\/em>6 <\/em><\/strong>on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. <\/em>7 <\/em><\/strong>His spear shaft was like a weaver\u2019s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.<\/em> 8 <\/em><\/strong>Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, \u201cWhy do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. <\/em>9 <\/em><\/strong>If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.\u201d <\/em>10 <\/em><\/strong>Then the Philistine said, \u201cThis day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.\u201d <\/em>11 <\/em><\/strong>On hearing the Philistine\u2019s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Samuel 17:4-11 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, skip down to verse 16<\/strong> with me. It says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16 <\/em><\/strong>For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Samuel 17:16 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s at this point that David arrives on the scene. He\u2019s not the biggest, nor the broadest. In fact, he wasn\u2019t there to fight. He had come to bring his brothers (the real warriors) some food. And when he arrives, he speaks with his brothers to see how they are doing. It\u2019s at this point that Goliath steps out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at verse 23<\/strong>. Here we\u2019re told:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

23 <\/em><\/strong>As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. <\/em>24 <\/em><\/strong>Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Samuel 17:23-24 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I want to pause here and acknowledge that the real MONSTER<\/strong> in this story wasn\u2019t GOLIATH<\/strong>! The real MONSTER that was haunting Israel<\/strong> every day on that battlefield was FEAR<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a very real way, the people of God were being stalked and scared by the monster of FEAR<\/strong>. It was FEAR<\/strong> that was haunting them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, make no mistake about it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. FEAR IS A RUTHLESS MONSTER!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear is a monster that everyone deals with on some level or another. Even the greatest of believers can be paralyzed by FEAR<\/strong>. In fact, some of the greatest men I\u2019ve ever known have had to face their own battles with this monster.. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear<\/strong>, by its very nature will hold you back.  When it strikes, FEAR<\/strong> can and paralyze and immobilize the best of men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe that\u2019s why Solomon<\/strong> warned us to avoid the temptation to give in to our FEARS<\/strong>. In Proverbs 12:25, <\/strong>he says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorry weighs a person down\u2026\u201d <\/em>(NLT)  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorry is a heavy load\u2026\u201d<\/em> (NCV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear\u2019s best weapon is to immobilize you and hold you back!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s what was happening in the Valley of Elah<\/strong> on this day. All of Israel\u2019s<\/strong> army<\/strong> was frozen in their tracks. They were terrified and unable to move. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s what fear does to us if it is not addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fear will take away our options<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    It makes us believe that there is no other way, no other option, no way out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It robs us of hope.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      It causes us to give up \u2014 and to doubt that things can get better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      It causes us to think irrationally.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        It keeps us from thinking through our challenges thoroughly.  It leads us to act spontaneously and to unwise things. It leads us to poor choices that cripple us and keep us from moving forward. That\u2019s what fear does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        You know, as a young man \u2014 I had a reoccurring nightmare. It began in my high school days \u2014 but continued into adulthood. It was an awful dream that always involved some sort of chase. Usually the scene played out at night. I was usually alone. And there was often a wild dog or some beast that was chasing me. (Listen, I was attacked by a pitfall as a boy \u2014 and still have the scars to show for it \u2014 so the fact that my nightmare was often large vicious dogs is no surprise). But in this nightmare, I always found myself stumbling through the dark, trying to run, and just unable to stay on my feet. I would keep falling down. Weak. Nervous. Frightened. Slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And even when I was able to stand \u2014 I could never move fast enough . . . it was as if I had lead in my shoes. And I just couldn\u2019t escape the moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Now, I don\u2019t know why I had that horrible dream. But I did \u2014 quite often. I would usually awake in a cold sweat with my heart pounding. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But here\u2019s what I know. It was always FEAR<\/strong> which held me back and caused me to stumble in that nightmare. And while that was just a dream<\/strong>\u2014it is the same in this life. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Fear\u2019s best weapon is to immobilize you and hold you back! <\/strong>And FEAR<\/strong> is completely contrary to the spirit and nature of God. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        So what are we to do in the face of fear?<\/strong> Is this story teaching us that we are to rise up in our own power and strike our monster down? No! That\u2019s what the world\u2019s interpretation of this story<\/strong> is \u2014 but that\u2019s not God\u2019s purpose in telling us this story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Because, David<\/strong> may have slayed Goliath<\/strong> \u2014 but He didn\u2019t do it in his own strength and power. And let\u2019s be honest, DAVID ISN\u2019T THE HERO<\/strong> of this story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Which brings me to my next point. And that is that . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        2. JESUS IS A MIGHTY HERO!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        While David<\/strong> was willing \u2014 it was God who was able!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        After hearing the way this giant was mocking God<\/strong> and His people<\/strong>, David<\/strong> felt compelled to respond. He wasn\u2019t brave \u2014 but His trust was in the Lord! And we know this because Samuel<\/strong> tells us as much in verse 32<\/strong>. Look at it with me. Here it says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        32 <\/em><\/strong>David said to Saul, \u201cLet no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.\u201d<\/em>33 <\/em><\/strong>Saul replied, \u201cYou are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.\u201d <\/em>34 <\/em><\/strong>But David said to Saul, \u201cYour servant has been keeping his father\u2019s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, <\/em>35 <\/em><\/strong>I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. <\/em>36 <\/em><\/strong>Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. <\/em>37 The Lord who rescued me <\/em><\/strong>from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear <\/em>will rescue me<\/em><\/strong> from the hand of this Philistine.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1 Samuel 17:32-37 NIV<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        David<\/strong> understood that it was always God <\/strong>who had defeated the MONSTERS<\/strong> in his life. He had done so in the past \u2014 and He\u2019d do so again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        David<\/strong> understood that the LORD<\/strong> is always the hero in our story!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And so \u2014 on that day, David<\/strong> (empowered by the Lord<\/strong>) stepped out onto the battlefield to face the giant and to slay the monster of fear!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Look at verse 40<\/strong>, it says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        40 <\/em><\/strong>Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd\u2019s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine <\/em>41 <\/em><\/strong>Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. <\/em>42 <\/em><\/strong>He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. <\/em>43 <\/em><\/strong>He said to David, \u201cAm I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?\u201d And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. <\/em>44 <\/em><\/strong>\u201cCome here,\u201d he said, \u201cand I\u2019ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!\u201d <\/em>45 <\/em><\/strong>David said to the Philistine, \u201cYou come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. <\/em>46 <\/em><\/strong>This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I\u2019ll strike you down and cut off your head. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1 Samuel 17:40-46 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Notice again, the HERO in this story was the Lord Almighty. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Everything David<\/strong> did, he did under the power of the Lord<\/strong> Almighty<\/strong>. And what was true for David<\/strong> is also true for you and me. The only way we defeat the MONSTER<\/strong> OF<\/strong> FEAR<\/strong> is to come at it in the Name<\/strong> of<\/strong> the<\/strong> Lord<\/strong> Almighty<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Listen, don\u2019t buy into that psycho-babble that would say: YOU CAN DO IT! FACE YOUR GIANT! Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Just think positive thoughts and envision yourself as an overcomer. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Don\u2019t listen to that!<\/strong> Just because you convince yourself that your able won\u2019t defeat your enemies. God wants you to learn to become solely DEPENDENT upon Him.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Some of you have probably grown up with hearing that \u201cCHRISTIAN CLICHE\u201d <\/strong>that says, \u201cGod won\u2019t put more on your than you can handle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        That comes from a misinterpretation of scripture. It refers to a passage where the Bible does say that God won\u2019t allow you to be tempted beyond your limits. It\u2019s found in 1 Corinthians 10:13.<\/strong> And it says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cNo temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But when it comes to life \u2014 it\u2019s always more than we can bear. But the beauty is that God is more than able to BEAR our sorrows and our trouble<\/strong> \u2014 and even our FEAR<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And when life gets hard, and unbearable, it should drive us back to Jesus! Because in Him we can overcome all things. For greater is He that is in me than He that is in this world. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        God<\/strong> wants you to learn to become solely DEPENDENT<\/strong> upon Him. And so, He invites you<\/strong> (like David<\/strong>) to find your purpose<\/strong> and your power<\/strong> and your divine<\/strong> destiny<\/strong> in Him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And when you look to Him as the author and finisher of your faith<\/strong>, when you look to Him as your strength<\/strong>, and your help<\/strong> in time of need, and your hope<\/strong> in a desperate hour, and your redeemer<\/strong>, and your defender<\/strong>, and your deliverer<\/strong> \u2014  you can rest in the confidence that HE WILL BE WITH YOU! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And do you know why? Because, He is the HERO of your story!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Which leads us to the answer to DEFEATING FEAR<\/strong> \u2014 and it\u2019s not done in our own power, but in the power of Jesus. And the way we experience His power is through faith!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Which leads me to my last point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        3. DEFEAT YOUR FEAR WITH FAITH IN GOD! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Let me give you three action steps that you can do to help you defeat fear and live unafraid in life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The first is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2014 See things from a different perspective. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        When FEAR<\/strong> is haunting us, we tend to lose sight of everything but that MONSTER<\/strong>. We focus on it and dwell on it, and think about it. We see the mountain and not the horizon. We see the worst case scenario but lose sight of reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In a very real way \u2014 we allow FEAR to consume our thoughts and our attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        But God\u2019s<\/strong> word<\/strong> challenges us to change our perspective<\/strong>. Perspective is all about seeing something from a larger frame of reference. We need to see beyond the MONSTER of FEAR. We need to see around it, and above it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The apostle Paul<\/strong> urges us to change our perspective by changing our thinking. He said in Romans 12:2.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Romans 12:2 <\/strong><\/a>(NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        In this verse, we are told that we should not be thinking like the world thinks, but instead, we should be transformed by renewing our minds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        So we must take our eyes off<\/strong> our<\/strong> problems<\/strong> and put them on<\/strong> Jesus!<\/strong> This was the struggle for Israel\u2019s Army.<\/strong> All they saw was their enemy. But David<\/strong> saw the Lord<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Verse 4<\/em><\/strong> tells us that Israel viewed their enemy as <\/em>\u201cA champion.\u201d <\/em>It says, they saw him as bigger than they were.<\/strong> \u2014\u201cHis height was six cubits and a span.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And they saw him as better than they were \u2014 better prepared<\/strong>. \u2014 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cHe had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor . . . <\/em>6 <\/em><\/strong>on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And they saw him as stronger than they were. \u2014 His \u201c\u2026coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels . . . his spear . . . and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        All they saw was their FEAR<\/strong>. But David<\/strong> saw his circumstance through the eyes of faith!In verse 46 <\/strong>we\u2019re told that when David<\/strong> looked at this giant of may before him \u2014 he saw the giants demise. He viewed him as a defeated foe. In verse 46<\/strong> he said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        46 <\/em><\/strong>This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I\u2019ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Change your perspective \u2014 take your eyes off of FEAR and put them on Jesus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2014 Ask for the Lord\u2019s help.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This is an act of FAITH. Simply call upon the Lord.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        You know, It\u2019s one thing to see things through the lens of faith \u2014 but it\u2019s another to AC<\/strong>T UPON THAT FAITH.<\/strong> When you call upon God, you are acting in faith!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And God always responds to your faith in Him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        So, go to God with your fears<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Some time later in life, David was again confronted by the MONSTER OF FEAR<\/strong>. It happened to be due to this same pagan people (the Philistines). His response was to ASK FOR THE LORD\u2019S HELP AGAIN<\/strong>. And after God protected him and he escaped, he wrote these words in Psalm 34.4. <\/strong>He said, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cI sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Psalm 34:4 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The apostle Paul<\/strong>, no stranger to fears himself (2 Corinthians 7:5), gave us this directive. He said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cBe anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, l<\/em>et your requests be made known to God<\/em>; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        If you want to be free of FEAR \u2014 then ASK FOR THE LORD\u2019S HELP<\/strong>! (PRAY<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Don\u2019t underestimate the power of prayer. <\/strong>What you can\u2019t do \u2014 God can! So ask Him. Step out in faith and ask!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And lastly, I challenge you again to (as I\u2019ve reminded you before) . . . do go at this alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2014 Face your fears with others.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        DON\u2019T SUFFER IN SILENCE — OR IN SOLITUDE! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Solomon wrote these words in Ecclesiastes 4<\/strong>. He said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u201cTwo are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him ump. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        You know, the book of Ecclesiastes<\/strong> has been called the sad sequel to the book of PROVERBS. Primarily because Solomon, it\u2019s writer failed in many ways to heed his own counsel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Let\u2019s not be like Solomon. Let\u2019s welcome the support and help of others. Don\u2019t do life alone! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Our common enemy \u2013 the devil<\/strong> \u2013 and all of his satanic forces are working together against you. Hoping to overthrow your trust<\/strong> in Jesus.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Just as much as they are working together against you \u2014 God\u2019s word says you should work with others against them. Because, mark it down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2022 There are some<\/strong> attacks<\/strong> you cannot face on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2022 There are some<\/strong> battles<\/strong> you cannot fight on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2022 There are some<\/strong> enemies<\/strong> you cannot defeat on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2022 There are some<\/strong> attitudes<\/strong> you cannot change on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \u2022 There are some<\/strong> habits<\/strong> you cannot break on your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n