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Reverend Paul Collings BTh (Hons) - - - - paul.collings@methodist.org.uk - - - - 01392 206229 - - - - 07941 880768

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Saturday, 30 October 2021

An ABC of Faith


Fear

The famed Methodist Preacher Leslie Weatherhead speaks of a fear that he calls “funk” - a state of deep unhappiness, and despair without hope. He claims that the three great enemies of our personal life are temptation, worry and fear.


We have a number of New Testament verses that help us with our fears. In 1 John we read that perfect love casts out fear and in Luke 14:27 we find Jesus sating, “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.”


The universal trigger for fear is the threat of harm, real or imagined. This threat can be for our physical, emotional or psychological well-being. While there are certain things that trigger fear in most of us, we can learn to become afraid of nearly anything.


As you come into God’s presence, know that God is already here, waiting for you.  Allow yourself to let go of any tensions you may be carrying in your body, allowing the muscles to relax from your head, neck and face all down your spine and lower body to your feet.  Let the stillness take over and lead you to a space where you can make room for the God of dreams to be with you.


One of the words that stands out as being the opposite of fear is that of Assurance, others speak of force and overcoming. But assurance in the words of Jesus is that the opposite is found in the peace that he brings.


What was it one songwriter penned


O the peace my saviour gives,

Peace I never knew before

And my way has brighter grown

Since I learned to trust Him more.


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