Pastor Elwin Ahu
September 23, 2001 - W0138

The smoke still smolders and the dust continues to rise from the rubble and remains of the World Trade Center, and from sections of the Pentagon in the aftermath of the most tragic loss in Americaís history. The death toll is at 252 and continues to rise. People missing and those presumed dead are at 6,333. Those treated for injuries, still suffering from critical burns, stand at 6,291. History will record this tragedy as the greatest number of innocent lives to have been shattered by acts of terrorism on a single day. Still thousands of others spiritually and emotionally wounded are scarred forever.

As one news service reported, "the nation struggles now to come to terms with not only the loss of so many loved ones and colleagues, but also with fear." One market analyst was quoted as saying, "The economy was in bad shape before this event, and this event magnified everything by the thousands. Nobody has a clue to what tomorrow morning will bring." Financial analysts have pegged this as one of the worst markets theyíve seen since the days of the depression in the 1930ís. It was estimated that over a trillion dollars have been erased from stocks values in just one week.

There are uncertainties about the economy, and whether it will ever recover, uncertainties about job loss and income loss for families already struggling to make ends meet, uncertainties about the military movement thatís beginning to mount in the Middle East, the threat retaliation, and terrorism in this country. There are uncertainties over our safety in travel or even security while at play in our own back yards. But, perhaps one of the most severe inflictions of harm as a result of this tragedy, is to live in a state of uncertainty in our hearts and minds. There is a plethora of tension-filled questions that weigh heavily on our shoulders, that left unchecked, can bring confusion and depression, eventually hindering us from becoming all God wants us to be. It is in the face of these anxieties and under this cloud of fear that we must ask ourselves this question:

First of all, let us understand what fears are and what causes them to exist. Psychologists define fears and anxieties as, ëwhat a person experiences when faced with an event that they cannot control or predict or that which seems threatening or dangerous. Fear is a reaction to a perception of immediate danger that is characterized by a strong desire to escape the situation.í Therefore, everyone has experienced some degree of anxiety and fear.

According to researchers, a personís anxiety level is closely related to oneís ability to predict and control the surrounding events. While there are biological and psychological factors that contribute to the development of anxieties, most anxieties are caused by social factors. A divorce, loss of a job, or change in financial situation increases and fuels the onset of anxiety and fear. No one is immune.

• Adam was fearful because of his disobedience after he ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge. He had no control over what God was going to do to him.
• Moses faced fear when given the responsibility to lead two million people out of Egypt. He had no control as to how he would provide sufficient food and water along that journey.
• David faced fear when he was running from King Saul. He had no control over what Saul would do to him if he were ever caught.

Regardless of its causes, fears are present in every part of our life everyday. However, it doesnít mean that we canít live beyond fears. First of all:

• Admit that theyíre there, face them, and know you are not alone when you experience this emotion in yourself. Health professionals agree that recognizing and accepting our fears is the first step to getting back to a state of normalcy in our lives.

• Fears are opportunities to grow beyond your present circumstance and move beyond where you are.

In seasons of uncertainties or fears, you stand at a crossroad. When youíre standing at the crossroads of fears and uncertainties, never let your actions be induced by what youíre running from. But let it always be motivated by what youíre running towards. Like David, choose to run to God when facing fears.

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?" (Psalm 56:3-4 NIV)

So, How Than Shall We Live? What can we do?

Well here are three things that we can live by:

1. Refuse to allow your circumstances to define your identity.

   Donít allow circumstances to define your identity. Instead, choose to redefine circumstances by who you are. Who are you?

   • You are a child of God, says John.
   • You are united and one with Christ, says 1 Corinthians.
   • Youíre a new creation, youíre Godís workmanship.
   • You can do all things through Christ Jesus, says Philippians.

   During President Bushís address to the nation he stood so appropriately beneath the slogan, "In God We Trust" and really gave us Godly counsel. This is what he said:

   "Americans are asking, what is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute even in the face of continuing threat. I ask you to uphold the values of America and remember why so many have come here."

   The Lord is saying the same thing. In these uncertain times, refocus your life upon the values that God purposed for your life. Replay the identity of who you are in Christ instead of replaying news reports on television. In the face of continuing threats, uphold the Christian values of extending your love to one another. Fears can immobilize, polarize, and paralyze you to a point of losing your identity in Christ. But you can refuse to allow that to happen and remember that the bible says we are Godís children and NOTHING can separate us from His love.

   Question 3: In reference to question one, where are you running to? From your fears or towards God? Explain.

   "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord". (Romans 8:38-39)

   What Paul is saying is that:

   • Even in the face of hardships, even in the face of uncertainties and fears, itís impossible to be separated from the love of Christ.
   • Nothing can stop Christís constant presence within us.
   • God tells us how great His love is so that we will totally secure in Him.
   • When fear and uncertainty begin to creep into your life, refocus and remind yourself of Godís inseparable and abiding love.

   "There is no fear in love, but perfect love cast out all fear." (1 John 4:18)

   By redefining our circumstances by our heavenly Fatherís perfect love for us, it gives us confidence to then move beyond our fears. How else shall we live?

2. Develop a positive and active faith.

   "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:l)

   • Faith can be described in these two words, assurance and certainty.
   • Faith is believing in Godís character -- He is who He says He is.
   • Faith is believing in Godís promises -- He will do what He says He will do.

   We begin to demonstrate true faith when we believe that God will fulfill His promises even though we donít see it materialize before our eyes.

   "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff will comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

   Having faith is not an absence of fear. Faith is the presence of God and the belief in His promises in the midst of fear.

   "And without faith, it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

   You will find your rewards if you seek Him. Ask the Lord what He wants you to do during this season of your life, and what it is that you need to refocus upon to move beyond your fears.

   Faith is indispensable to a Christian life. In this last week alone, we were vividly reminded that we cannot place our faith upon objects in our economy or even our military security, because in a single act, both were shattered. There is only one that cannot be destroyed. And He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the king of kings, the Lord of Lords and His name is Jesus. He never changes; He is eternally trustworthy. He never failed to be and never failed to do all that He said He would. He is eternally faithful.

   Question 4: Recall and share a time when God has been faithful to you in the past. How does that make you feel in light of the current uncertainty?

   Finally, when you begin to develop that positive and active faith in Jesus Christ:

3. Live by what you know.

   At a time when discussions are filled with "what if" statements and questions, itís so easy to get distracted from the things that we know. God filled our bible with over 7,000 promises of His love, care, and protection. These are part of the promises God gives us:

   GOD IS MY PROTECTOR

   "The Lord is my light and my salvation: Whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1,3)

   "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble. . .for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

   GOD IS MY PROVIDER

   "Do not worry then, saying ëwhat shall we eatí or ëwhat shall we drink"ë . . .for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:17)

   THE LORD PROMISES ME PEACE

   "Peace I leave you; My peace I give to you; not as the world give, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27)

   THE LORD IS FAITHFUL TO ME

   "The Lordís loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

   GOD IS GREATER THAN MY ENEMIES

   "Behold I have given you authority. . .over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall injure you." (Luke 10:19)

   GOD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE

   "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26)

   GOD PROMISES ME A FUTURE AND A HOPE

   "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

   Godís promises and our fears cannot coexist because in Godís perfect love, it casts out all fears.

   Rest your lives on the promises of God.

   • Refuse to believe the reports of people who tend to live their lives more by human insights than by having faith in God and His attributes.
   • Spend time searching the bible for the promises of God. Whatever we feed into our minds is going to be displayed into our emotions and our actions.
   • Refuse to live by sight, but live instead by faith in what you know of a living and loving God.

   It is in the miracles, in the promises, and in the appearances of Godís word that weíll find victory regardless of what the world may say. "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." Human understanding is restricted, but Godís perspective encompasses everything. Live by what you know, not by what you fear.

   So How Than Shall We Live?

   It comes down to our relationship with Jesus Christ. You will find a peace the world cannot understand and a comfort they do not feel when you begin to identify yourself with Him. Begin to place your faith in His power and authority, knowing that despite what man may do, God is ultimately in control, and will turn all things that man meant for bad to good for those who love Him, and are called according to His purposes. It is a peace that youíll find when you begin to live by what you know of His promises and His assurances for your lives.

   Question 5: How will I be changed by what Iíve learned today?

   Summarized by: Rhonda Pang