Editor’s Note: Joel Renner is the CEO of RENNER Ministries and the National Director of the U.S. ministry office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Alongside his father, he has actively participated in nearly every facet of the daily operations of the ministry since his youth. Joel resides in Moscow, Russia, with his wife and two sons.
Breaking Fear Issues, Especially in These Last Days
by Joel Renner
Fear is a terrible thing. Many people live in a constant state of fear, and it can take so much out of life. But, my friend, fear is not of God. God is love. And we know this because of what the Holy Scripture tells us.
First John 4:7,8 (ESV) says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
We also know there is no fear in love and that perfect love removes fear from us because First John 4:18 tells us clearly, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
But I must tell you that if you are being perfected, or matured, in love, but those around you are not, you will not always share their opinions, just because you’re endeavoring to walk in love. Remember, people can have many fears, phobias, and paranoia, and because of the fear of others around you, fear will try to worm its way back into your life. But even if there is a logical reason for that fear, you have to go back to what the Scriptures say and take your thoughts captive.
Second Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) instructs, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Every thought and opinion we encounter must be held to — taken captive by — the standard of God’s Word.
I’d also like to share this: If you feel like common sense is telling you to prepare for something ahead, but it also feels like fear is motivating you, you may also want to take that thought or idea to a friend you trust and share it with him or her. Sometimes it helps to talk out your impeding thought and hear someone else’s opinion on the matter.
God bless,
Joel Renner