HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 132
page A130
Family continued
• PR O V E R B S 2 2 :6 | Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they
will not leave it.
• PSA L M 1 2 7 :3 | Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
Fathers See Family
Fear See also Anxiety; Courage; Worry
Fears are real and natural, at times more real than that which we fear. Fears may leave
us feeling unsettled and insecure, doubting our self-worth, having sleep problems or
health problems, and worrying about how tomorrow will treat us. The issues that we want
settled are simple—how do we avoid fear when we can, how do we live with it when we
must, and what can we learn from it?
When is fear not good?
• H E B R E W S 1 0 :3 1 | It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Fear is terrifying if we have to fall into the hands of God without having made peace with him.
• G E NE S I S 2 6 :7 | He was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” (See note on page 24.)
• J O S H U A 1 7 :1 6 | “The Canaanites . . . have iron chariots. . . . They are too strong for us.”
F
Fear is not good if it keeps us from doing the things we ought to do. We are not meant to
live in fear.
HelpFinder
• NU MB E R S 1 3 :2 8 -3 1 | “But the people living there are powerful. . . . We even saw giants
there! . . . We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” (See note on page 134.)
Fear is not good when we allow it to distort our view of our great God who is greater than
any problem we face.
When is fear good?
• PSA L M 2 :1 1 | Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. (See note on
page 481.)
Because God is so great and mighty, and because he holds the power of life and death in
his hands, we must have a healthy, reverent fear of him. A healthy fear helps us keep our
perspective about where we need to be in our relationship with God.
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 7 :1 | And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
A healthy fear of God motivates us to strive for holiness.
• DE U T E R O NO MY 3 1 :7 -8 | “Be strong and courageous! . . . Do not be afraid or discouraged,
for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.”
Fear can be good if it teaches us about courage. Joshua couldn’t have truly understood
courage if he hadn’t experienced fear. Fear gave him courageous character and taught him
to rely on and trust in God.
What does it mean to fear God?
• J O B 1 3 :1 1 | “Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?”
• PSA L M 3 3 :8 | Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.
• PSA L M 1 2 8 :1 | How joyful are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways!
• PR O V E R B S 9 :1 0 | Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Fearing God is not the same as being afraid of God. Being afraid of someone drives you
away from that person. Fearing God means being awed by his power and goodness. This
draws you closer to him and to the blessings he gives. Fear of God like the respect you
have for a beloved teacher, coach, parent or mentor who motivates you to do your best
and avoid doing anything that would offend them or provoke their displeasure. You fear
God because of his awesome power; you love God for the way he blesses you with it.
And this brings great joy.