{"id":19076,"date":"2018-06-20T08:36:34","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T12:36:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=19076"},"modified":"2018-06-20T08:54:04","modified_gmt":"2018-06-20T12:54:04","slug":"worship-wednesday-fear-is-a-liar-zach-williams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=19076","title":{"rendered":"Worship Wednesday – Fear Is a Liar – Zach Williams"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Flickr, Lisa Hall-Wilson<\/a><\/p>\n

Now this is what the LORD says–the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel–“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.<\/em>”\u00a0 <\/span>– Isaiah 43:1<\/a><\/p>\n

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>– 2 Timothy 1:7<\/a><\/p>\n

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear.<\/em> – 1 John 4:18a<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – <\/em>John 8:31-32<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

When we, or people we love, come under an attack of some sort, we respond. Always. Two physiological responses may immediately come to mind. We fight or fear (literally fleeing or just in our head). That fight or flight response<\/a> is much researched and well-documented. My default is flight…in fear. If I have to, especially for the sake of my children or others needing help, I would fight, but fear would be part of that battle.<\/p>\n

I too often go to fear. Maybe you don’t. Maybe you go to fight. Either one can be used in ways by our enemy to keep us from a third response. That being collecting our thoughts around what is true and acting in a way that gives space for God to fight for us. That does not mean we won’t be physically removed from a fight (to protect or for justice or mercy’s sake). Nor does it mean that we won’t be tempted to fear. The big however is that we are not defeated already by believing fear’s lies or by unleashing fury that hurts in its own right.<\/p>\n

When I heard Zach Williams’ song Fear Is a Liar<\/em><\/a>, the lyrics drew me in immediately. I knew that experience. That experience of fear being a voice in my head, telling me things that simply were not true…but sounded true. Paralyzing me when God means for me to be free. I am free in Him. Fear picks us up to throw us down somewhere dark and outside of who we really are. Fear is a liar…and is generated by the “father of lies”<\/a>. At first, I struggled with the personification of fear in this song…but more and more, it is like battling with Satan himself, or one of his minions. The truth is that “greater is he (God) in me, than he (the evil one) in this world”<\/em><\/a>. \"\"<\/a>Photo Credit: Flickr, Artem Popov<\/a><\/p>\n

My Mom and I, through the years, would often quote 2 Timothy 1:7 to each other. “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.<\/em>” We both struggled with fear and needed to remind each other of the truth. Dave has often helped me come back to my senses with just the two-word imperative: “Pull up”. When we struggle with fear, our thoughts can grow more and more terrifying and send us on a deep dive, spiraling out of control. Just the reminder to “pull up” would spark my returning to remember what is true.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Those of us who fear need people in our lives who remind of us of the truth and the God of truth. Not in a platitudinous way. But in a way that wraps around us, stays with us, loves us through it. Who are your people?<\/p>\n

[Sidebar: For those of you who default to fight or fury…the wisdom is the same. Return to what is true, what is full of love, what is genuine power. Being “wise as serpents and gentle as doves”<\/em> <\/a>is not weakness; it is a right response that gives space for God to act.]<\/p>\n

Worship<\/a> with me and cancel the fear with the truth of God. Extinguish its darkness with the light of the perfect love of Jesus.<\/p>\n

When he told you you’re not good enough
\nWhen he told you you’re not right
\nWhen he told you you’re not strong enough
\nTo put up a good fight
\nWhen he told you you’re not worthy
\nWhen he told you you’re not loved
\nWhen he told you you’re not beautiful
\nThat you’ll never be enough<\/p>\n

Fear he is a liar
\nHe will take your breath
\nStop you in your steps
\nFear he is a liar
\nHe will rob your rest
\nSteal your happiness
\nCast your fear in the fire
\nCause fear he is a liar<\/p>\n

When he told you were troubled
\nYou’ll forever be alone
\nWhen he told you you should run away
\nYou’ll never find a home
\nWhen he told you you were dirty
\nAnd you should be ashamed
\nWhen he told you you could be the one
\nThat grace could never change<\/p>\n

Fear he is a liar
\nHe will take your breath
\nStop you in your steps
\nFear he is a liar
\nHe will rob your rest
\nSteal your happiness
\nCast your fear in the fire
\nCause fear he is a liar<\/p>\n

Let Your fire fall and cast out all my fears
\nLet Your fire fall Your love is all I feel<\/p>\n

Fear he is a liar
\nHe will take your breath
\nStop you in your steps
\nFear he is a liar
\nHe will rob your rest
\nSteal your happiness
\nCast your fear in the fire
\nCause fear he is a liar*<\/p>\n