12/14/2023
"GIVE IT TO JESUS" "LET GO AND LET GOD" What does that even mean?
2 Timothy 1:7
Did you know there are over 500 named phobias. Here are a few:
1. Arachibutyrophobia (Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth)
2. Nomophobia (Fear of being without your mobile phone)
3. Arithmophobia (Fear of numbers)
4. Xanthophobia (Fear of the color yellow)
5. Lutraphobia – (Fear of otters)
6. Octophobia (Fear of the number eight)
7. Globophobia (Fear of balloons)
8. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (Fear of long words)
9. Coulrophobia – (Fear of clowns)
As we read these we may laugh as we try to pronounce the words to these crazy fears. But here is a few more:
Agoraphobia – Fear of crowds of people and open spaces
Aichmophobia – Fear of needles
Anthropophobia – Fear of people or society
Aphenphosmphobia – Fear of intimacy
Atelophobia – Fear of imperfection
Athazagoraphobia – Fear of being forgotten or ignored
Atychiphobia – Fear of failure
Autophobia – Fear of being alone
Necrophobia – Fear of death
Now this list may hit home, perhaps one or more of these fears are very real to you or someone you love. As human beings we feel afraid of different things for different reasons; heights, flying, spiders, or public speaking. Many worry about what the future holds; what If I lose my job or get sick, will my family be okay? Yet others fear failure; What if I disappoint my spouse, parents or my boss or coworkers? Fear most certainly can paralyze us, getting in the way of the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10. At times it can cause us to question God and wonder if we can trust Him or wonder if He is real? As Christians we love to say “GIVE IT TO JESUS” What does that mean??? Do I ship it to him via UPS, Do I email it to Him? What does it mean to “GIVE IT TO JESUS”?
The Bible contains a gazillion verses urging us to have courage and faith and not be afraid, but many of us struggle because we’re attempting to be brave and fearless on our own. What truly gives us freedom from fear is Jesus living in us. It sounds a lot like “GIVE IT TO JESUS”
When David, a very young shepherd boy, he went up against the Philistine champion giant Goliath (1 Sam. 17:1-58), he dropped that giant like a rock, with a rock! but not because he had confidence in himself, his weapons, strength, or aim. David knew that God was mighty and good. David was victorious because he placed his trust in the Lord, and that’s why fear had no hold on him. David “GAVE IT TO JESUS” When we worry, Read God’s word to remind us that He is a big GOD and don’t forget to pray. When we are afraid for any reason or any phobia strikes seek direction for God through that same prayer and reading of His word clinging on to those promises. They are not just tee shirt slogans or bumper stickers nor are they just something that gets copied into a hallmark card. They are true real promises that we can trust! What would our life look like if we refused to let fear define us and instead fully embraced the “power and love and self-discipline” the Holy Spirit gives (2 Tim. 1:7)? Try taking a step in that direction today and “GIVE IT TO JESUS”