FEAR HATH TORMENT

Read: Joshua 1:1-9

Meditation verse:

“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

The story is told of a man who got trapped inside a freezer truck whilst cleaning it, after he mistakenly shut the doors. His family began searching for him when he did not return home that Friday night. It wasn’t until Monday that his lifeless body was discovered inside the truck. However, the cooling system in the truck was not on, so the man did not freeze to death and there was a window that was wide open in the truck, so he did not suffocate either. The question therefore on everyone’s lips was how did he die?

The amygdala is a cluster of almond shaped cells located near the base of the brain. They are two on each side of the brain. They help define and regulate emotions. The amygdala which is part of the brain’s limbic system is responsible for the fight and flight response. This is the emotional part of the brain. The front lobes are part of the brain’s cerebral cortex which is the rational part of the brain that regulates reasoning, thinking, decision making and planning. The front lobes allow you to evaluate your emotions and uses your experience and judgement to evaluate. When a threat is perceived, the amygdala may jump to the fight or flight mode but the frontal lobes often override the amygdala so you can process the situation rationally. However, in the event of extreme emotions of fear, panic or anger, the functions of the frontal lobes are compromised, the amygdala takes over and disables the frontal lobes. The fight-flight response is activated, and rational thinking and reasoned responses are disabled. This can cause sudden, illogical, and even irrational reactions.

1 John 4:18 states that fear hath torment. Fear can kill a person several times over before the real danger will kill because fear shuts out your ability to think your way out of the mess. Turns out that the man had expected that being locked up in a cooling truck would kill him, so he died out of sheer panic, even though he was not in any real danger. Little wonder ‘fear not’ is the most repeated command in the bible. It occurs 365 times; one for each day of the year.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye

Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest.

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.