What are you afraid of? | Week 3 | Invisible Enemy

“The power of the Lord was on Elijah, and he tucked his mantle under his belt and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”

1 Kings 18:46 HCSB

“Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow! ” Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life...”

1 Kings 19:1-3 HCSB

What Are You Afraid Of?

So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is … fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. - FDR

  • Fears related to animals

  • Fears related to the natural environment

  • Fears related to injury or medical issues

  • Fears related to specific situations

  • Alektorophobia

  • Onomatophobia

  • Trypophobia

  • Pogonophobia

FOMO: Fear of Missing Out

  1. Reject the Messenger

“Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow! ” Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life...”

1 Kings 19:1-3 HCSB

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.”

Psalm 34:4

"For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Isaiah 41:13

“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

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things.”

Philippians 4:8 HCSB

  1. Reject the Messenger

  2. Take a Nap

“but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my fathers.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. Suddenly, an angel touched him. The angel told him, “Get up and eat.” Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones, and a jug of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord returned for a second time and touched him. He said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.”

1 Kings 19:4-8 HCSB

Rest and Peace

  • 70 million Americans have chronic sleep problems

  • 1 in 3 U.S. adults regularly don’t get enough sleep

  • 88% of American adults reportedly lose sleep due to bingewatching (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2019)

  • 84% of adults reported feeling at least one emotion associated with prolonged stress in the prior two weeks.

  • The most common were feelings of anxiety (47%), sadness (44%) and anger (39%)

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.”

Mark 6:30-31 HCSB

“In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food — yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves.”

Psalms 127:2

1. Reject the Messenger

2. Take a Nap

3. Listen for God

“He entered a cave there and spent the night. Then the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah? ” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Hosts, but the Israelites have abandoned Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.” Then He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.” At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.”

1 Kings 19:9-12 HCSB

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

2 Timothy 1:7 HCSB

Brandy Crampton