the dangers of fear

From Spurgeon (modernised):

Christian, do not dread the possibility of bad news. After all, if bad news distresses you, in what way are you different from other men? Others do not have your God to fly to; they have never experienced His faithfulness. Naturally, they are bowed with care and cowed by alarm and fear. But you profess to have a different spirit. You have been born again into a lively hope and your heart lives on heavenly things! If you are as easily distracted as others, where is the grace you have received? Where is the dignity of the new nature you claim to possess?

What’s more, fear does us a great deal of harm as it makes us vulnearable to sins that arise in trying circumstances. The ungodly when overtaken by evil rebel agianst God, murmur and conclude that God deals harshly with them. Will you fall into this same sin and provoke your Father in heaven like this?

Yhe unconverted also run to wrong means to escape trouble. If your mind yields to the present pressure; you may well do likewise.

No, instead, trust in the LORD and wait patiently for Him.

O how can we glorify God if we play the coward? Saints have often sung God’s high praises in fires of adversity. Doubting and despondency do not magnify our Lord.

Take courage, rely upon your covenant God and ‘let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’.