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#79 My Life: My FearsDr. Stephen Phinney: Fear had been a constant companion throughout my life, a shadow man that clung to me, whispering doubts and anxieties in every corner of my mind.
Listen to the podcast version: Brought to you by Sharon Lackey. REVERENTIAL FEARParalyzing fear is a destructive ideology that thrives on doubt, uncertainty, and intimidation. It immobilizes individuals, preventing them from taking action and pursuing their goals.From a biblical perspective, fear can be understood in two distinct ways: as a healthy reverence for God and as a destructive emotion that paralyzes us. Reverential Fear: This is the awe, respect, and reverence we have for God. It's a recognition of His power, holiness, and authority. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." This type of fear is foundational for a righteous life, leading to wisdom, obedience, and deeper relationship with God. Destructive Fear: This is the fear that comes from the enemy, manifesting as anxiety, worry, and dread. It can be debilitating and prevent us from living in the fullness of God's promises. 2 Timothy 1:7 states, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." This verse reminds us that destructive fear does not come from God and that we have been given the tools to overcome it. Understanding these two aspects of fear helps us navigate our spiritual journey, cultivating a healthy reverence for God while rejecting the paralyzing effects of destructive fear.
MY STORY OF BINDING FEARFear had been a constant companion throughout my life, a shadow man that clung to me, whispering doubts and anxieties in every corner of my mind. It started early, as a child, when I was terrified of the dark and the unknown. As I grew older, the spirit of fear found new ways to latch onto me—fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of human touch, fear of not being enough. I tried to cope with it in various ways, from seeking validation from others to meticulously planning every detail of my life.Yet, no matter how hard I tried, fear always found a way to seep back in, paralyzing me and preventing me from living fully. It was like an invisible chain that held me back, limiting my potential and suffocating my hopes. My fears became so intrusive that they infiltrated every aspect of my life.The simplest tasks, like purchasing a stick of gum, felt like monumental challenges. Standing at the counter, my hands would shake, and my mind would race with anxious thoughts. Interacting with others was even more daunting. Just the thought of speaking to someone would cause my heart to pound, my palms to sweat, and my words to stumble out in a stutter. Every social situation became a minefield. I would replay conversations in my head, analyzing every word and fearing I had said something wrong. The fear of judgment and rejection was overwhelming, making me retreat further into myself. I avoided gatherings and kept my interactions to a minimum, hoping to escape the discomfort and embarrassment that seemed to accompany every encounter. Anxiety attacks plagued me like a demon on a war path. It was as though fear had wrapped its tendrils around my life, choking my confidence and distorting my sense of reality. Each day felt like a battle against an invisible enemy that I couldn't seem to shake. It wasn't until I began to confront these fears head-on, seeking discipleship and leaning on my hidden faith in Yeshua, that I started to reclaim my life. With time and the love of Yeshua, I learned to release my fears to Christ in me, and the once insurmountable tasks became opportunities to grow in who I was in Yeshua.I realized that while fear had been a powerful demonic force, it didn't have to define me. Through the support of loved ones, mostly my wife, Biblical guidance, and a deepening relationship with Yeshua, I found the strength to embrace my fears and move forward, step by step. Yes, you heard that correctly! Embracing my fears became the portal of accepting my greatest weakness in and outside of Christ. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." My discipler told me that I will not be freed from my fears until I accept that my weaknesses were assigned to me by the Lord to discover where true strength is found.In this I found my greatest encounter with Yeshua which is where things began to change. I had always believed in Him, but I had never fully understood the depth of His power and indwelling confidence. One pivotal day, during a discipleship session, Keith shared a mind-bending truth - fear is idolatry. The words struck me deeply. He explained that fear, when it controls our lives, becomes a form of idolatry. It takes the place that belongs to God alone, dictating our actions and consuming our thoughts. That realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. I had never seen fear in that light before. I began to understand that by allowing fear to dominate my life, I was essentially placing it above God. I was giving it the power that rightfully belonged to Him. This revelation was both humbling and empowering. It was the wake-up call I needed. I started to confront my fears head-on, but not on my own strength. Keith taught me the practical elements of tapping into the indwelling Life. I turned to Yeshua from within, seeking His guidance and surrendering my fears to Him. I immersed myself in His Word, finding comfort in verses like Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Day by day, I felt the chains of fear loosening. Yeshua's presence brought a sense of peace and assurance that I had never known. I began to trust in His promises, realizing that His love casts out all fear. Whenever fear tried to creep back in, I reminded myself of who Yeshua is in me and the victory He has already won. I learned to rely on His strength from the inside out rather than my own, understanding that He is greater than any fear I could ever face. The life-change was profound. I started to see challenges not as threats, but as opportunities to release Yeshua's power and love to others. My perspective shifted from one of anxiety to one of faith and confidence. I no longer viewed fear as an insurmountable obstacle, but as a reminder to lean inwardly on Yeshua. Looking back, I realize that my struggle with fear was a journey of growth and discovery.It taught me the importance of trusting in Yeshua and placing Him above all else. The lesson of recognizing fear as idolatry was a turning point that set me free from its grip. Today, I walk with confidence and joy, knowing that Yeshua is my strength and my refuge. Through Him, I have found true freedom and the courage to live the life He has called me to live. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."Fear has been my greatest teacher, revealing profound truths about my inner strength and reliance on Yeshua. Through my lifelong struggle with fear, I have discovered that while the trash my old nature left behind is prone to anxiety and trepidation, the indwelling presence of Yeshua knows no fear. His unwavering confidence, peace, and assurance have become my anchor, guiding me through the storms of life. In Him, I have found the courage to not face my fears head-on but release His lack of fear to eradicate my fleshly temptations bent toward fear and anxiety. This journey has taught me that true freedom from fear is found in surrendering to His perfect love and trusting in His mighty power within me. The End Times Chronicles is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for subscribing to The End Times Chronicles. Your paid subscription helps us advance our non-profit’s mission. Dr. Stephen R. Phinney is dedicated to providing quality media and publications that advance the Life of Christ. Paid subscribers receive free eBooks, media content, and other free stuff.Hey, fellow writers/readers, would you be open to buying me a cup of coffee? Check out this fun way of supporting my writing: https://bmc.link/drphinney
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