How to Combat Paralyzing Fear

Summary

In this special edition of 'The Line of Fire,' the speaker discusses faith, fear, and the power of God during challenging times. He shares a personal story of battling fear during his COVID-19 experience and emphasizes that fear can be paralyzing, but faith in Jesus can overcome it. The speaker encourages viewers to trust God's goodness, even in the face of hardship, and highlights the importance of looking to Jesus for strength and comfort. He promotes his new book, 'Hearts of Compassion, Backbones of Steel,' offering insights on handling difficult conversations with love and kindness.

Takeaways

• 🙏 **Emphasis on Faith Over Fear**: The speaker highlights the importance of choosing faith over fear, even in the face of paralyzing situations.
• 📖 **New Book Announcement**: The speaker announces the release of their upcoming book, 'Hearts of Compassion, Backbones of Steel,' focusing on discussing controversial topics with love and kindness.
• 🎁 **Special Offer**: For those who support the ministry in September, the speaker offers a signed copy of the book with a scripture verse as a thank-you gift.
• 😨 **Personal Experience with Fear**: The speaker shares a personal story of battling severe fear and weakness during a COVID-19 infection, emphasizing how fear can be paralyzing and even supernatural in nature.
• 💓 **Physical Health Struggle**: They recount their experience with health issues, including atrial fibrillation, worsened by COVID-19, and how fear of death gripped them during this time.
• 💪 **Overcoming Fear with Faith**: The speaker describes how, despite their faith, they struggled with fear but ultimately relied on their faith and God's promises to overcome it.
• 🕊️ **Spiritual Guidance**: They advise looking to Jesus as the ultimate source of strength and peace, encouraging others to trust in God's goodness and character.
• 📖 **Scriptural Encouragement**: The speaker emphasizes the importance of having God's word deeply embedded in one's heart and mind as a defense against fear and sin.
• 🤝 **Call to Action for Non-Believers**: There's an invitation for non-believers to become children of God through faith in Jesus, recognizing one's own sin and seeking a new life in Christ.
• 👀 **Focus on Jesus**: The speaker encourages believers to fix their eyes on Jesus and his character, trusting him fully, and dismissing the lies and fear sown by the enemy.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the speaker's message?

The main topic is overcoming fear, especially fear that can be paralyzing or demonic in nature, and finding faith in God during difficult situations.

What does the speaker say about fear in the Bible?

The speaker emphasizes that throughout the Bible, we are often told 'fear not,' as God is with us. Jesus also frequently reassured his disciples not to fear.

How does the speaker describe the experience of fear during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The speaker describes how the fear associated with COVID-19, especially during the Delta variant wave, was not only a physical challenge but also a demonic force that led many, including himself, to experience paralyzing fear.

How did the speaker personally confront fear during his battle with COVID-19?

The speaker recounts feeling weak and paralyzed by fear when he contracted COVID-19, but he found strength by remembering God's promises and his mission, which helped him overcome the overwhelming fear of death.

What role did the speaker's wife play in helping him during his fear and illness?

The speaker’s wife, Nancy, helped him by flipping the lights on and encouraging him to break free from the fear and mental stupor he was trapped in during his illness.

What does the speaker mean by saying fear can be 'demonic' or 'paralyzing'?

The speaker suggests that fear can be so overwhelming that it paralyzes a person, preventing them from functioning normally. He also notes that fear can have a demonic element, particularly when it causes deep emotional and spiritual distress.

What is the key to overcoming fear, according to the speaker?

The key to overcoming fear is looking to Jesus, trusting in God’s goodness and faithfulness, and rejecting the lies of fear by focusing on God’s promises and love.

How does the speaker relate fear to spiritual warfare?

The speaker mentions that fear can be part of spiritual warfare, where Satan uses fear to lie to people, making them believe that God’s promises don’t apply to them or that disaster is inevitable.

What does the speaker recommend for those who are struggling with fear and are not believers?

The speaker advises non-believers to turn to Jesus, recognize their sins, and ask for God’s mercy, starting a new life through faith in Him.

What is the significance of Jesus walking on water in the speaker's message?

The story of Jesus walking on water illustrates the importance of focusing on Jesus, even when fear and doubt arise, like Peter who began to sink when he focused on the storm rather than on Jesus.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction and Special Offer

The speaker welcomes viewers to a special edition of 'The Line of Fire.' He shares that the topic will be brief but impactful. He introduces his upcoming book, 'Hearts of Compassion, Backbones of Steel,' which teaches how to discuss controversial issues with kindness. For the month of September, viewers who contribute will receive a signed copy of the book. The speaker emphasizes the importance of this critical time in history, especially concerning Israel, and urges viewers to support their mission against anti-Semitism.

05:00

😨 The Paralyzing Power of Fear

The speaker dives into the theme of fear, describing it as a paralyzing force. He explains how fear can be terrifying and emotionally overwhelming, comparing it to the supernatural power of faith. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fear gripped many as they witnessed loved ones die in isolation. The speaker shares his personal experience of contracting COVID, how fear took over, and how he felt close to death, especially as close friends passed away. He describes the moment he realized he was succumbing to fear and weakness but hints at his eventual recovery.

10:02

💡 Overcoming Fear with Faith and Purpose

The speaker recalls a turning point during his illness when his wife encouraged him to break free from his stupor. Although he was afraid of dying, a reminder of his divine purpose helped him push through the fear. He describes how fear kept him from fully believing in healing, but his recovery started when he recognized his mission from God. He recounts going to the hospital for heart issues and eventually becoming healthier after a procedure. Although he typically doesn't experience fear, he acknowledges that even he had moments of intense panic, reflecting on how faith helped him overcome.

15:02

🙏 Trusting in God's Plan During Fear

The speaker addresses believers struggling with fear, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God’s nature and trusting in His plan. He explains that fear often brings lies from Satan, but by focusing on Jesus, one can overcome. He shares that if you're in right standing with God, you can trust Him even when situations seem dire. For those who are living in disobedience or rebellion, the speaker advises repentance and a return to faith. He highlights that by looking at Jesus, one can dispel the lies of fear, affirming God’s goodness and ultimate intentions for His children.

🌊 Peter's Faith and the Nature of Fear

The speaker recounts the biblical story of Peter walking on water, noting how Peter's faith faltered when he focused on the storm rather than on Jesus. This serves as a metaphor for believers today, illustrating that fear can overpower us when we focus on the difficulties rather than trusting in God. He contrasts God's plan for us with the lies of Satan, reminding viewers that fear can distort our perception of reality. Even in life-threatening situations, the speaker encourages believers to trust that God will deliver them, either through healing or long-term benefits that are part of His greater plan.

🛡️ Battling Fear with Faith and Scripture

The speaker acknowledges that in the midst of fear, trusting in God may sound difficult, but he urges believers to cry out to God for refuge. He stresses the importance of having God's Word in our hearts and minds as a defense against fear, sin, and other struggles. By immersing oneself in scripture, faith becomes stronger, helping individuals face their fears with confidence in God’s protection. He concludes by reflecting on the power of faith, the goodness of God, and the importance of seeing Jesus as a source of hope and strength.

❤️ The Goodness and Mercy of God

The speaker closes with a reflection on God's character, questioning whether God delights in suffering or indifference. He reassures the audience that God is compassionate and near to those who are brokenhearted. The speaker emphasizes that, as believers, they can trust God with their lives. He encourages viewers to fix their eyes on Jesus, who bore their pain and suffering, and to ask for His help in lifting their burdens. The message concludes with a reminder that for those who follow Christ, there is nothing to fear, as God's goodness will always prevail.

Keywords

💡Fear

Fear is a central theme in the video, described as a paralyzing and demonic force that can overwhelm individuals in moments of crisis. The speaker emphasizes how fear can cause emotional and spiritual paralysis, drawing from examples like the COVID-19 pandemic and personal experiences of fear. Fear is contrasted with faith, showing how it can distort reality and lead to hopelessness.

💡Faith

Faith is presented as the antidote to fear in the video, offering strength and hope even in seemingly impossible situations. The speaker refers to faith as 'supernatural power,' which allows believers to trust in God's promises despite fear or adversity. Faith is exemplified by the speaker's personal struggles and the story of Peter walking on water, where faith overcomes fear.

💡Jesus

Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate source of comfort, hope, and salvation for believers. The speaker emphasizes looking to Jesus as a way to overcome fear and trust in God’s plan. Jesus’ suffering on the cross is highlighted as an example of God’s love and the assurance that believers can rely on Him during their own trials.

💡Satan

Satan is discussed as the source of lies and fear, constantly working to destroy faith and paralyze believers. The speaker describes how Satan uses fear to manipulate and deceive, urging believers to recognize these lies and instead focus on the truth of God’s promises. This concept relates to the battle between good (faith in God) and evil (fear and lies from Satan).

💡COVID-19

COVID-19 is used as a specific example of how fear can be heightened during a global crisis. The speaker recounts personal experiences with the virus, describing not just the physical illness but also the demonic fear that came with it. This example illustrates the widespread impact of fear during the pandemic, both on individuals and society at large.

💡Healing

Healing is discussed as both a physical and spiritual process, tied to faith in God's promises. The speaker shares a personal experience of physical healing after suffering from heart issues aggravated by COVID-19. Spiritual healing is also emphasized, where trusting in Jesus and rejecting Satan’s lies can lead to emotional and psychological restoration.

💡Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is mentioned as the speaker’s heart condition, which worsened during a battle with COVID-19. This medical condition is used to illustrate how fear can exploit physical weaknesses, but also how faith and medical intervention brought healing. AFib serves as a specific example of the intersection between physical illness and emotional fear.

💡Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare refers to the battle between faith and fear, good and evil, that is central to the speaker’s message. The speaker describes fear as a demonic force that believers must combat through prayer, faith, and reliance on Jesus. Spiritual warfare is a theme that underscores the importance of resisting Satan's lies and standing firm in God’s truth.

💡Repentance

Repentance is explained as the process of turning away from sin and seeking God's mercy. The speaker stresses that repentance is essential for believers who may be struggling with fear or spiritual battles, as unconfessed sin can hinder their ability to trust in God. Repentance is presented as a key step toward receiving God's grace and breaking free from fear.

💡God's Nature

God's nature is discussed as fundamentally good, loving, and trustworthy. The speaker contrasts this with the lies that fear and Satan introduce, which distort the understanding of God's intentions. The emphasis is on trusting in God’s character, even when circumstances seem dire, as He is portrayed as always working for the good of His children, even in painful situations.

Highlights

Introduction of the special edition discussing an important topic and its potential to help many.

Announcement of the speaker's upcoming book titled 'Hearts of Compassion, Backbones of Steel,' which aims to guide readers on how to discuss controversial topics with love and kindness.

Encouragement to viewers to stand with the ministry by contributing financially in support of outreach and fighting anti-Semitism.

Reflection on fear being paralyzing and terrifying, affecting people on emotional and spiritual levels.

Personal experience shared by the speaker regarding their battle with COVID-19, which hit them physically and emotionally, amplifying underlying heart issues and fear.

Description of the fear during illness, as it became overwhelming and caused the speaker to consider the possibility of dying.

Insight into how fear, whether demonic or emotional, can bring someone to a state of powerlessness, as shared from the speaker's own experiences with panic attacks and fear.

Acknowledgment that fear can lead individuals to feel helpless, even to the point of being in a fetal position, and that overcoming it requires outside help through prayer and support.

A call for listeners to seek a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus, recognizing their own sins and need for mercy.

Reminder that those walking with God, striving to do His will, should look to Jesus as the key to overcoming fear and challenges.

Reflection on Satan's lies, which often attempt to make believers doubt God's promises and goodness.

Encouragement to focus on Jesus, who embodies the opposite of lies and provides reassurance of God's intentions for His children.

Recount of the biblical story of Peter walking on water and how fear caused him to sink, used as an analogy for focusing on God's word rather than life's storms.

Reflection on how fear can distort one's perspective and that trusting in God's goodness is the key to finding peace and deliverance.

Final encouragement to maintain faith in God, trust His goodness, and believe that He has good plans for His children, even in difficult or life-threatening situations.

Transcripts

Welcome Friends to a special edition of

the line of fire I believe this is going

to be a really important topic that's

going to help many I'm I'm just going to

give a short teaching today want to make

this deposit in you and I truly pray

it'll be a blessing to you if you're

watching live you're watching on

September 18th and what I'm about to say

specifically applies to the month of

September but next month my newest book

comes out hearts of compassion backbones

of Steel how to discuss controversial

topics with love and kindness I think

you'll find the book super ha uh super

helpful super practical super edifying

and lifegiving as you stand with us this

month at a critical time in American and

world history and a critical time of

Israel's history as you stand with us

with a special gift to help us reach out

to the lost sheep of the House of Israel

with the good news of the Messiah while

pushing back against the ugliness of

anti-Semitism and Jew hatred your gift

of any size we want to say thank you by

sending you this book signed with a

scripture verse for you here's how you

get it again this is just for September

if you're watching this months and years

later God bless you you just order the

book wherever you like but you can call

800 538 5275 we're able to do this

within the states 800 5385

275

fear oh throughout the Bible we read

fear not fear not fear not for I'm with

you Jesus often has to tell his

disciples fear not and over our lives in

God boy we get hit with lots of things

that can bring terrible terrible fear

and the reality is reality is sometimes

fear can be paralyzing it can be

terrifying and you think of the

supernatural power of Faith you can take

it's impossible but by faith you take

hold of it because all things are

possible with God It's A Mir whoa how

did that happen it's a miracle so on the

one hand on the other hand fear is

paralyzing fear is is can also be

Supernatural either demonically or just

emotionally it it hits us in a way that

can paral have you ever been hit with

such fear that you L you just want to

lay in the fetal position and not move

you ever been H hit with such fear that

you you have no fight in you you know

when when covid came it it did not just

come as a as a disease or a pandemic it

came with the Demonic force on it and

then as more and more stories get out

and people dying in the hospitals and

you're hearing about your friends and

loved ones and then the horror stories

where someone dies in isolation and the

only people they're seeing are like in

the space suits kind of coming they

there nothing personal and you die alone

and and I remember when I get hit with

Co n and I the same day it was after

Christmas Eve what 3 years ago was it

2021 you remember right towards the end

it was the Delta variant so it was

pretty minor for both of us initially I

mean it was it was bad but I didn't even

Post online I didn't want you know

create commotion or fear and everybody

pray oh no because we're we're all

losing people we had friends close

friends that that we lost that died and

but after a week I started to get weaker

and and then it had messed with

something in my heart for many years I

had apib I didn't know it uh atrial F uh

aib I'm going to mispronounce the the

actual words um so I I I didn't know

there were Irregulars with my heart and

and the cover really hit where you're

weak so I ended up I I was so weak I

couldn't even move I mean I i' I'd make

it you know just get out of bed Nancy

and I were both isolated different rooms

I'd get out of bed and just to the

bathroom and back was was tiring and and

uh I remember when the fear came I

remember when the fear came in the

room this is it it's over you're going

to die this is it you're it's over

you're going to die and we had other

friends that did die in fact when I was

at my weakest in bed a close friend just

10 11 years younger than me close to our

family had known him since he was 18 he

died so here he was in his in his mid

50s or so agonizing and I remember

laying in bed at night and ny's in the

other room laying in bed at night we're

both thinking we got if we don't pray

hard nobody's going to die we're just

I'm completely out of it I remember the

fear came in this is what happens you

get sicker you go to the hospital and

you die and I had no fight in me I

believe there was like a root of

unbelief that got revealed in that in

terms of of healing

not believing for healing and I was just

so weak and I was in the room lights

were dark and Nancy came and fli the

lights on sat next to me like hey just

we got to break out of the stuper here

and I remember thinking sitting there

like it's what a shame that it ends like

this and I leave this world and leave

Nancy and the kids and grandkids behind

and and then this one little thought

popped in my head with a mission that

God had given me with a task he told me

I would complete it's like no I know I'm

going to complete that task but that

dread fear I mean I was there for some

time and then then went into the

hospital me I didn't want to go in the

hospital just because I was so sick but

at that point the fear of dying was not

as heavy and then thankfully you know

they isolated it was hard issues and

then I was home the next day and then

ended up having a procedure about six

months after that fixed the apab so I'm

healthier than I've been in decades I

mean thriving great blessed but that

fear was so paralyzing and I'm a faith

guy in many ways and I don't relate much

to fear but I'm sure many have had it

much worse I had panic attacks for a

while it's like hit me on a flight once

what where' that come from I fly all the

time that's not fun to feel

claustrophobic you got to get out of the

plane and I would battle that I mean I

never missed a flight but some I have to

battle it and pray through and and then

you know before I get and preach you're

going to collapse you're going to fight

and you know just getting H with these

fears and got some Ministry and kind of

got to the root of things and praise God

God and so all I'm saying is even though

I'm a faith guy not a fear guy I've I've

had some battles too and some of you oh

my heart goes out to you because it's

paralyzing and you feel like you can't

do anything and and some literally I'm

I'm sure some of you are nodding like

that you literally got in the fetal

position you literally did you literally

did because you just curl up in the B

That's The Power of fear it's satanic

it's

demonic so sometimes in the midst of it

it's it's hard to get out of it and we

really need help from others sometimes

to pray us through and get us out but

ultimately if now this is only applies

if you're a Believer if you're a child

of God if you're not the key things you

need to become a child of God through

faith in Jesus you need to recognize

your own sin you recognize your own

ability recognize your own shortcoming

recognize that Jesus died for you and

rose from the dead and cry out to God to

have mercy on you to have mercy on you

and then to begin a brand new life in

him but if you're a child of God if

you're living in willful Disobedience

sin and Rebellion this won't help you

either repent ask God for Mercy ask God

for cleansing and and he'll he'll give

you a fresh new start but if you're a

child of God and you're not walking

willful Rebellion you want to do his

well we all fall short you want to do

his

will then then the key the key to

everything is to look at Jesus to look

at Jesus the one who took our suffering

our pain to somehow look at him whether

it's

spiritually seeing his face however you

imagine him on this Earth whether it's

simply looking at his nature the father

reveals who he is through the son if you

want to know who God is you want to know

his

nature if you want to understand who he

is if you want to understand who he is

look at Jesus that's the full revelation

of the father and now I'm going to make

this as practical as I can in a moment

but Satan comes with lies according to

his

nature God brought you to this moment

because he wants to destroy you he let

you live long enough because he hates

you and wants to destroy you he none of

the promises of God apply to you you're

every bad thing whether you're believing

to get married whether you're believing

for job whether you're believing for

here no not going to happen or

ultimately there is no God and it just

it hits you it's just

wait what is the nature of God what is

the nature of God like if you're in

right relationship with him you can

trust your father God I and I'm saying

this from my own heart I trust you with

every fiber of my being to do good for

me it may not be what I feel is good at

the moment but I know his intentions for

me are good I know as his child that

what he does may be painful in the

present but it will end up being

beautiful in the long run beautiful in

the long term for his glory and for my

good because I'm his child and therefore

if I how do I dismiss the lies by

looking at Jesus because Jesus is the

opposite of those lies you're going to

die you're going to hell there is no

hope you're a reject you will never find

a job you will never find a companion

you will never be blessed you will never

be healed whatever the Litany of Lies is

you look at Jesus in the exact opposite

now think of

this Jesus is walking on the Water Peter

says Lord if it's really you tell me to

get out of the boat so Jesus says Come

Peter might have said to himself

what what what did I just say because

it's a storm there's wind and waves but

he begins to walk on the water then it

says when he sees the wind and the waves

he's fearful begins to sink and says

Lord save me and Jesus of course grabs

out his hand or grabs him entirely and

next thing they're back in the boat

Jesus doesn't let him

down the wind and the waves are always

going to be there and you have to say I

I I don't care about what I see or feel

I only care about what God says I only

care about not just what he says but who

he is who he is I was talking to a

colleague the other day and we were

talking about a subject of and and

someone you know hearing this lie well

God raised you up for this moment so he

could destroy you on a grand scale and

the colleague said that is so contrary

to the nature of God so contrary to who

he is and what he does and how he acts

so utterly contrary so here's the thing

here's the wind and the waves for us

let's say you're you're you're in a life

and death situation if God doesn't come

through it's disaster it's disaster now

sometimes it seems like disaster and

then longterm something better comes out

of it it's a temporary crucifixion but

long-term Resurrection comes out of it

praise God it's it's miserable to go

through but it's worth it in the end the

only way to Resurrection is through

crucifixion so be it but many times

God's answer is to deliver you right

then to get you out of the mess right

then then to heal to to to break the

power of the enemy to do whatever needs

to be done so what's what's so

interesting is that you're always going

to have a question what about somebody

else yeah I let's say Co you're battling

Co life and death and and God's promised

you heal he's spoken to you through his

word or personally to your spirit you

will be healed you will not die okay

Lord I believe you I oh but what about

so they were Godly and they died what

about this one you can't think about

anybody else you're not judging them

you're not saying well they must have

been bad no no you have no idea only God

knows but what you know is who he is and

what he says now listen I know in the

midst of the fear these may just sound

like words but if you will cry out to

God he is a refuge that's why it's so

important to have the word in our heart

in our mind mind in our heart in our

mind it's a great antidote to fear it's

a great antidote to sin it's a great

antidote to many other things get the

word in your heart in your mind

circulating deepening circulating

deepening circulating deepening and and

then and then out of that out of that

Faith begins to R you are my

refuge you did say to call out in the

day of trouble and you deliver and I am

calling out there the wind in the Jesus

I'm looking at you when I look at you I

know you love me and when I look at you

I mean it's as if I'm looking no I'm not

having an open Vision I'm not claiming

Jesus is physically in the room here if

he was I'd be on my face weeping but in

my Minds I just seeing him I know he

wants what's best for me and if my life

is fully given over to him which by his

grace it is then whatever he does is

going to be good whatever Satan or

people mean for evil God will turn for

greater good cuz I'm his kid I'm God's

kid Redeemed by the blood of Jesus and

really with all my shortcomings and

weaknesses I really want to please him

and really want to honor him and really

want to see his son glorified praise God

and as an object of great mercy and

kindness from the Lord I am overwhelmed

with his love that that is who he is

that's the God I serve so some of you

you know your spouse you can trust your

spouse with your life they're not going

to hurt you you're not going to be

laying in bed sick and they go out and

get medicine for you and actually poison

you no not your spouse right your you

know your your parents if you're younger

you know they're hard for you to help

you and they'll bend over backwards for

you our human goodness reflects a

fraction a fraction of the goodness of

God so Gaze on him again if we're

playing games with sin and walking in

Rebellion may he bring us to repentance

if we don't know him at all may he save

us but if you're his child imperfections

at all cleansed by the blood of Jesus

and you really want to please him and

honor him ask yourself what kind of God

is he is he a kind of God who takes

delight and smashing the innocent is he

the kind of God that takes Delight in in

the horrific suffering of his people and

just stands by indifferent or Worse

still laughs at it was he the kind of

God who's near to the Brokenhearted near

to those who are hurting near to those

who are struggling so May the grace of

God be yours that enables you to look at

Jesus Hebrews 12 looking unto Jesus the

author and finisher of our faith and say

Lord this is too big for me this is too

heavy for me this is too much for me and

your word says you you you bore our

sicknesses and carried our pain so I'm

I'm asking you to lift it off of me this

cross is too heavy for me to bear but

with you all things are possible fix

your eyes on Jesus look at his character

look at the one who went to the Cross to

die for you and ask him can you trust

him with your life if so you have

nothing whatsoever to fear