Fear Of The Unknown

Foundational Principles & Overcoming Fear

Foundational Principles

Foundational Principle #1: God Owns Everything

Psalm 24:1 (NLT)
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.

Foundational Principle #2: Management Proceeds Promotion

Luke 16:10-13 (NLT)
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?
And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

Foundational Principle #3: Look what Jesus said was one of his purposes

John 10:10 (NLT)
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.
My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Foundational Principle #4: The greatest limiter to your next level is you

Joshua 1:8 (AMP)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night,
so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it;
for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.

Foundational Principle #5: We must not open the door to the devil

Genesis 4:7 (AMP)
If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted?
And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it.

Fear of the Unknown is a DREAM KILLER

• Fear is often a byproduct of focusing on the wrong things
• Fear will Paralyze Purpose
• When you step into purpose fear will appear
• Purpose will often take us in a direction we don’t want to go
• Which leads to uncertainty which is the breeding ground to fear

Fear is a limiter, Faith is unlimited

The Fears

1. Fear of Failure
2. Fear of Death
3. Fear of Change
4. Fear of Being Alone
5. Fear of Loss
6. Fear of Losing Control

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear,
but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline
[abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

The First Mention of Fear

Genesis 3:10 (AMP)
He said, “I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

• As much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counterproductive and works against us.

The Negative Report

Numbers 13:25-33 (AMP)
When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days… “We went into the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.
But the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we saw there the descendants of Anak.
…Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it.’
But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.’”

• Notice how many words they used to describe the negative
• Anytime you are at open doors you have to be very careful who you allow to speak to you
• People often push their fears unto you
• I want you to understand that there is a giant at every new level of promotion

Peter Walks on Water

Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV)
“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

The Prescription to Fear

Psalm 34:1-7 (AMP)
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

• David starts this verse out with his habit of praising God
• David made up in his mind that his situation nor circumstance would stop his praise
• For everything that we go through has passed through His hands before it gets to us
• David disciplined his mouth to speak praise
• Speak his praise and not your problems

Magnify God

• “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us lift up His name together.”
• Magnify God, and God will minimize my problems
• Maximize God and God will minimize my issues

Names of God:

• Jehovah-Jireh (Genesis 22:14) My Provider
• Jehovah-Rapha (Exodus 15:26) My Healer
• Jehovah-Nissi (Exodus 17:15) My Victory
• Jehovah-Mekaddishkem (Leviticus 20:8) My Sanctifier
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Jeremiah 33:16) My Righteousness
• Jehovah-Shalom (Judges 6:24) My Peace
• Jehovah-Shammah (Ezekiel 48:35) The Lord is Here
• Jehovah-Rohi (Psalm 23:1) My Shepherd

Psalm 34:4 (AMP)
I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.

Lord Give Us Eyes to See

2 Kings 6:15-18 (AMP)
Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.”
And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is fear described as a “dream killer”?
2. Which foundational principle speaks most to you personally, and why?
3. How does focusing on the wrong things feed fear in our lives?
4. What is the difference between fear as a limiter and faith as unlimited?
5. What lessons can be drawn from the spies’ negative report in Numbers 13?
6. How does Peter’s experience walking on water teach us about faith in the face of fear?
7. What does Psalm 34 reveal about maintaining praise during trials?
8. How can we “magnify God” rather than magnify our problems?
9. What do the different names of God reveal about His character in times of fear?
10. How can we pray, like Elisha, for “eyes to see” what God is doing around us?

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