Fear (June Hunt Hope for the Heart) (7 page)

Among the thousands and thousands of people mentioned in the Bible, Gideon is selected by God to be one of the few in His famous “Hall of Faith.” Hebrews chapter 11, commonly called “The Hall of Faith,” illustrates the power of living by faith and extols the predominant
heroes of the faith
. Fewer than twenty names are listed on this
Honor Roll of Old Testament Saints
. Gideon is one of the rare few:
“Gideon ... who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised”
(Hebrews 11:32–33).

His transformation from being fearfully timid to being
fearlessly triumphant
is evident as he confronts the captive kings of Midian. Asking what kind of men they had killed at Tabor, Gideon’s once fearsome enemies reply,
“‘Men like you,’ they answered, ‘each one with the bearing of a prince’”
(Judges 8:18).

Instead of retreating in fear, the once meek man from the small clan of Manasseh now bears a princely posture and has become a powerful warrior—the
“mighty warrior”
God called him to be.

When will the Lord
deliver me from all my fears
?

“I sought the L
ORD
, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears
.”
(Psalm 34:4)

What should you
set your mind on
when you’re afraid?

“
Set your minds on
things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
(Colossians 3:2–3)

Why am I to
cast all my anxiety on Him
?

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him
because he cares for you.”
(1 Peter 5:6–7)

Why does the Bible ask
of whom shall I be afraid
?

“The L
ORD
is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The L
ORD
is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid
?”
(Psalm 27:1)

Why should I
not be afraid and not be discouraged
?

“The L
ORD
himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged
.”
(Deuteronomy 31:8)

What will happen when
God is our refuge
?

“
God is our refuge
and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
(Psalm 46:1)

How can you
guard your heart and your mind
when you have no
peace
?

“The
peace
of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7)

Why does the Lord say
do not fear
and
do not be dismayed
?

“
Do not fear
, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed
, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
(Isaiah 41:10)

Why is
there no fear in love
?

“
There is no fear in love
. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
(1 John 4:18)

What will happen if
the Lord is my shepherd
?

“
The L
ORD
is my shepherd
, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even 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 23:1–4)

NOTES

1. American Heritage Electronic Dictionary
   (Houghton Mifflin, 1992), s.v. “To Fear.”
   
2. W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White,
   Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words
   (New York: Thomas Nelson, 1985), s.v. “Fear.”
   
3. Lawrence O. Richards,
   The Bible Readers’ Companion
   (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1991), 72.
   
4. Mary Lynn Hendrix,
   Understanding Panic Disorders
   (US Department of Health and Human Service, National Institute of Health), 2.
   
5. Mary Lynn Hendrix,
   Understanding Panic Disorders
   , 2–3.
   
6. New Oxford Dictionary of English
   , electronic ed., (Oxford University Press, 1998), s.v. “Phobia.”
   
7. Vine, Unger, and White,
   Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words
   , electronic ed., s.v. “Fear, Fearful, Fearfulness.”
   
8. Vine, Unger, and White,
   Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words
   , electronic ed., s.v. “Fear, Fearful, Fearfulness.”
   
9. Oaklawn Toward Health and Wholeness,
   What Everyone Should Know About Anxiety Disorders
   (South Deerfield, MA: Channing L. Bete, Co., 1994), 2–3.
   
10. Kevin R. Kracke, “Phobic Disorders,”
    Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling
    , 2nd ed., ed. David G. Benner and Peter C. Hill (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999), 871–872.
    
11. For this section, see Kracke, “Phobic Disorders,”
    Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling
    , 2nd ed., 871–8. Kracke renames the simple phobia as specific phobia.
    
12. American Psychiatric Association,
    Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-III-R.
    3rd ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1987), 432.
    
13. Phobia Center of the Southwest, “Agoraphobia,” 1990, n.d.
    
14. Karen Randau,
    Conquering Fear
    (Dallas: Rapha, 1991), 41–56.
    
15. Lawrence J. Crabb, Jr.,
    Understanding People: Deep Longings for Relationship
    , Ministry Resources Library (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987), 15–16; Robert S. McGee,
    The Search for Significance
    , 2nd ed. (Houston, TX: Rapha, 1990), 27–30.
    
16. Randau,
    Conquering Fear
    , 41–56.
    
17. Leslie Parrott, III, “Systematic Desensitization,”
    Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling
    , 2nd ed., ed. David G. Benner and Peter C. Hill (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999), 1193.
    
18. Shirley Babior and Carol Goldman,
    Overcoming Panic Attacks: Strategies to Free Yourself from the Anxiety Trap
    (Minneapolis, MN: CompCare, 1990), 59–62.
    

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Agoraphobia
. Dallas: Phobia Center of the Southwest, 1990.

American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-III-R
. 3rd ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1987.

Babior, Shirley, and Carol Goldman.
Overcoming Panic Attacks: Strategies to Free Yourself from the Anxiety Trap
. Minneapolis, MN: CompCare, 1990.

Carothers, Merlin R.
From Fear to Faith
. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997.

Crabb, Lawrence J., Jr.
Understanding People: Deep Longings for Relationship
. Ministry Resources Library. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1987.

Dolph, Charles D. “Panic Attack.”
Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling
, 2nd ed., edited by David G. Benner and Peter C. Hill, 818–19. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.

Hunt, June.
Counseling Through Your Bible Handbook
. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2008.

Hunt, June.
How to Forgive . . . When You Don’t Feel Like It
. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2007.

Hunt, June.
Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes
. Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers 2008.

Ingrid, Gary.
Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay
. Chicago: Moody, 1979.

Kracke, Kevin R. “Phobic Disorders.”
Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling
, 2nd ed, edited by David G. Benner and Peter C. Hill, 871–72. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.

Larson, David E., editor,
Mayo Clinic Family Health Book
. New York: W. Morrow, 1990.

McGee, Robert S.
The Search for Significance
. 2nd ed. Houston, TX: Rapha, 1990.

Meier, Paul D., Frank B. Minirth, and Frank B. Wichern.
Introduction to Psychology and Counseling: Christian Perspectives and Applications
. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1982.

Parrott, Leslie, III. “Systematic Desensitization.”
Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling
, 2nd ed, edited by David G. Benner and Peter C. Hill, 1193. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.

Randau, Karen.
Anxiety Attacks
. Dallas: Rapha, 1991.

Randau, Karen.
Conquering Fear
. Dallas: Rapha, 1991.

Wright, H. Norman.
Afraid No More!
Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1992.

June Hunt’s HOPE FOR THE HEART booklets are biblically-based, and full of practical advice that is relevant, spiritually-fulfilling and wholesome. Each topic presents scriptural truths and examples of real-life situations to help readers relate and integrate June’s counseling guidance into their own lives. Practical for individuals from all walks of life, this new booklet series invites readers into invaluable restoration, emotional health, and spiritual freedom.

HOPE FOR THE HEART TITLES

Adultery (ISBN 9781596366848)

Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ISBN 9781596366596)

Anger (ISBN 9781596366411)

Codependency (ISBN 9781596366510)

Conflict Resolution (ISBN 9781596366473)

Confrontation (ISBN 9781596366886)

Considering Marriage (ISBN 9781596366763)

Decision Making (ISBN 9781596366541)

Depression (ISBN 9781596366497)

Domestic Violence (ISBN 9781596366824)

Fear (ISBN 9781596366701)

Forgiveness (ISBN 9781596366435)

Gambling (ISBN 9781596366862)

Grief (ISBN 9781596366572)

Guilt (ISBN 9781596366961)

Hope (ISBN 9781596366558)

Loneliness (ISBN 9781596366909)

Manipulation (ISBN 9781596366749)

Parenting (ISBN 9781596366725)

Rejection (ISBN 9781596366787)

Self-Worth (ISBN 9781596366695)

Sexual Integrity (ISBN 9781596366947)

Success Through Failure (ISBN 9781596366923)

Suicide Prevention (ISBN 9781596366800)

Verbal & Emotional Abuse (ISBN 9781596366459)

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