So my children are all talking about getting to go in and help me pay for chicken feed at the feed store.

My three year old pipes up with, “I not go chickens. Chickens kill me.” Everyone laughed at her cuteness, including her.

But the real truth is that she is terrified of chickens. If she even hears a rooster across the yard, it will send her screaming. We tried to look at the positive, so we took it as an opportunity to teach her older brother to protect his sisters. He now bravely chases off the chickens waving a big stick, and then escorts his sister to safety. Not bad for a five year old.

But fear is a very real obstacle for all of us. We adults call it concern or trepidation, but it’s still fear! We fear for our children’s health and safety. We fear not having enough money to take care of our families. We fear the future. We fear being rejected. We fear not living up to someone else’s expectations. Need I go on?

The Scriptures tell us plenty about fear. First of all, it’s clearly referred to as a sin.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)

Being fearful is listed right up there with murderers. We are told over 300 times not to fear. But when the spies came back from searching out the promised land, they spoke in fear. They gave a bad report to the children of Israel. They believed what they saw instead of believing what YHVH had told them.

What did YHVH tell them? He told them it was a land flowing with milk and honey, a good land where they would be safe and live in peace. But they let fear decide what they would believe, and it cost them 40 years in the wilderness where anyone over the age of 20 died.

So let’s review. What did YHVH say to us? If you have trusted Yahshua and are trying to live in obedience to YHVH’s commands, than you are part of His covenant with Israel. So take some time now and read some of the promises made as part of the covenant.

Start with Genesis 15 and 17. Then jump ahead to Deuteronomy 28. YHVH promised us blessing heaped upon blessing. We need to obey the best we can, and confess our sins quickly when we fail. But He wants good for us, He wants us to have an abundant life. He wants to fulfill all of his promises to us.

Fear is going to get in the way, and it could very well bring on us the very things we fear. Remember, the spies did not believe they could take the land, and they didn’t. We need to get a hold of YHVH’s promises and actually believe that He intends to carry them out. Notice in Rev. 21:8 that unbelief is second in that list of sins. Start listing promises you find in scripture so that your spirit will be saturated with truth, and that spirit of fear will no longer have a home in your heart.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2Ti 1:7)

I have started doing this myself and here are a few verses I have come across.

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (Psa 17:8)

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (Psa 18:2-3)

Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. (Psa 20:6-7)

Proverbs chapter 3 is also full of wonderful promises. They are literally everywhere when you start looking. So everybody, get out your Bibles, and please post any verses in the comments that help you trust YHVH and kick out that spirit of fear.

So, is my three year old feeling any better about chickens? Well, we have taught her to quote scripture while she’s in the pasture. She says, “Yahweh is my shepherd,” in her little three year old voice. But she has to have her chubby little hand in mine the whole time. And that’s okay. I like to hold my Abba’s hand, too.

Need help teaching your children about Torah? We recommend My First Torah.

Blessings and Shabbat Shalom to everyone.