Acts - 18 Fear

Fear. A quick Google search will tell you that fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat. Often that belief is accurate, but other times that belief is not real. This is when psychologists label fear as False Evidence Appearing Real. You see, fear can be real, but often fear can just be a mental game. 

I do not know about you, but when I think about the Apostle Paul, I do not think about someone who dealt with fear. Paul had every reason to be fearful; he had people everywhere he traveled with the message of Christ trying to harm or kill him, which could cause fear. Even with all this in mind, I just don’t think about Paul as someone who dealt with fear...but that just is not the case. Paul did deal with fear; we read about it here.

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.” - ‭‭Acts‬ ‭18:9-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We read this, but again I just have a hard time thinking about Paul dealing with fear. Maybe because he was the one that was always encouraging others and speaking into their lives. 

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” - 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NIV

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“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, “ Abba, Father.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” - ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I could keep going, but I think you get the point. So when we read in Acts, one night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid... this jumps out to me because Paul was afraid. We read Paul encouraging so many others, pastoring them, preaching to them about do not fear, do not be anxious, and here we are in Corinth, and Paul is full of fear. 

This is what hits me this morning; God will use our issues and challenges to minister to others. You see, we often want to think ministering to others comes out of our strength, but frequently that is just not the case. God will use everything to bring Him glory, and many times He will use our weaknesses and issues to minister to others, and that in and of itself will minister to ourselves as well. Read the Scripture above, and now process Paul’s words through the lens that he was ministering to himself while he was pouring out to others. Paul, do not be anxious about anything. Paul, be on guard, stand firm in the faith, and be strong. Paul, the Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again. 

Such a great reminder as I read about Paul, and I “think” Paul is this mighty warrior of an Apostle. Yes, that is true, but Paul, just like you, and just like me dealt with his own issues. We all have them, and I am encouraged today that God will continue to use our issues to glorify Himself and to develop and grow us closer to Him.