Nothing to Fear?

Joshua 1:9
Psalm 27

  I came across a little story. At the end, a girl asked Jesus what he
was afraid of. He replied: "Losing you." There was a comment on it how
Since Jesus was perfect, he wouldn't fear anything. Right there, I'd
have to disagree. (Oh, and sorry if I embarrassed the two who wrote them...)
  While praying in the garden, Jesus was sweating blood. (Luke 22:44)
  Literally or figuratively— I don't think this can be interpreted too
many ways. I would say he was downright scared. "Oh, I'm just going to
die a horrible painful death then be utterly alone for the first time
in my very existence— no worries though!"
   Seriously.
   Obviously fear and faith aren't incompatible.

   After looking at many uses of the word "fear" in the bible, I noticed
that it is mainly used as an emotion.
   God gave us emotions. Even fear.
   When the curse fell on creation— fear came with it. Why?
   
   Well, fearing something isn't necessarily bad. Normally, fear is a
warning sign. You feel fear when you have your toes on the edge of a
50 story building. That's because it's dangerous. You feel fear when
you're walking through a strange place on a dark and foggy night
without a flashlight. That's because it is unfamiliar and possibly
dangerous. You feel fear when you're looking into the business end of
a gun. I'm sure you get the point. Fear was given to us as a safety
alarm to keep us alive and intact.  I have never seen in the bible
"never fear."
   However, there are many many instances of it saying "Do not be
afraid."
   What's the difference?
   It's the "being" afraid. It's not a sin to feel uneasy or uncomfortable
about something, maybe even a bit reluctant. What *is* a sin is going
into the feeble position and crying like a baby.  The part when you're
frozen into place.
   God knows we fear. He gave it to us, after all.  What God doesn't want
is for it to rule us. He doesn't want it to be he sole factor in
deciding what we do. That's where God's to go.
   God said: "Be strong and courageous!" He said: "Yah, you fear them-
but do it anyway! Take a deep breath And come with me.  Let your love
for me override your fear for them."
   Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but "Be strong and courageous" and "do
not be afraid" are the most repeated commands in the bible. At least
in the top five.
   C.S Lewis said that "courage isn't just one of he virtues: it is every
virtue at it's testing point." Courage is when you override fear. It
is when you push past the unease and do what God wants you to anyway.
   Fear is some heavy stuff. You need to be really strong to push through
it. Fortunately, God is the strongest out of anything and he wants to
help. Just ask him. Don't be afraid or embarrassed! (You can feel
weird, but ask him anyway^^)
   Job complained that there needed to be a mediator between him and God
so that he could "speak to him without fear." (Job 9:33-35) Guess
what- Jesus is that mediator! You don't need to even feel nervous
about it! "Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne
where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and grace to help us
just when we need it." (Hebrews 4:16)
   God said: "Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you."
Just call out. One word will do: "HELP!" There isn't time for a long
prayer during a crisis; just cry out.
   There are many sorts of fear, some rational and others.... Not so
much. God understands them all. He knows our weaknesses. It's through
these that God wants us to shine. Even something as little as fearing
talking on the phone or talking to new people; or just talking to
people in general! (Trust me, I know.) The thing is, you have to let
him. God will take every step to help you but one.  He saves that for
you.

If you *draw near to him* he will draw near to you.
If you *call out to him* he will rescue you.
If you *reach for him* he will pull you close.

"Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified, for the Lord is with
you wherever you go."
God will not leave you. He will not abandon you.

"Wait on the Lord.
Be strong and courageous.
Wait on the Lord."