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Why are these words from Jesus "Don't be afraid; just believe" (NIV) so important when we need something seemingly impossible from Jesus?

Why do our fears prevent us from believing in Jesus - believing what he can do to meet our needs?

Mark 5:21 - 43

ESV - 21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet

Clarify Share Report Asked February 20 2021 Mini Grant Abbott Supporter

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Mini Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
I would say that it is because our "fears" translate into limiting our perspective on a particular situation, or on the number of ways in which God can resolve a situation to our benefit, which we should always be alert for, both because God's power to do so is unlimited, and because His solution (which is, by definition, the best solution) may not conform to our narrow focus or specific desired result. These self-imposed constraints, in turn, can adversely affect our faith, if we permit them to do so.

We must never overlook any of the means by which God may be trying to speak to us about addressing the objects of our fears, or about overcoming seemingly "impossible" obstacles that may be confronting us.

February 24 2021 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Mini Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!
2 Corinthians 11:3, "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your mind may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." Satan wants to control our minds.

Jesus prayed in John 17:26, "And I have declared to them Your name, and I will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them." Jesus is with us.

John 11:40, "Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?'" 

Jesus has a list of impossible things. Luke 24:39 For example. Mark 9:23, "Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to Him who believes.'"

1John 4:18, "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear causes torment." We need to know that we can go to God with anything. We are not to be afraid. This phrase and other variations of it appear throughout the Bible about 300 times. I would say it is something we are to remember. We know that whatever comes, it will be what He allows.

There is a beautiful hymn, "Be Not Afraid" I urge you to look at the lyrics. 

Think about the widow in Mark 12:43. How frightened she must have been. But.....she trusted God. 

John 5:30, Jesus said he seeks only the will of his Father. Jesus understands fear like no one else. Look at Luke 22:41-44. Imagine, Jesus knew what He was facing. He knew what was going to happen to Him! He prayed. Angels came to comfort Him. 

Joel 2:27, "Then you shall know that I am in the midst..." disaster was about to come to Israel, but, we are his people also. So He is wherever we are. 

Isaiah 26:3, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Because He trusts in you." Don't be afraid!

John 15:15,16, "No longer do I call you servants...I have called you friends...all things..I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not chose me, I chose you...whatever you ask...He may give to you..." Don't be afraid to ask, know that He always does the best.

1Corinthians 2:16, "For who has known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct Him. But we have the mind of Christ."

Luke 11:9, "So I say to you ask..seek...knock..."

Luke 11:28, "..more than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it."

1John 5:14, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." If you don't ask, you don't know. It doesn't hurt to ask..

Ephesians 6:24, "Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. AMEN."

February 28 2021 5 responses Vote Up Share Report


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