THE TAKEAWAY:

Fear is a debilitating emotion that needs God’s help to overcome

MESSAGE:

“I ain’t afraid of no ghosts.” That’s not just an improper double negative, but the iconic catch phrase of The Ghostbusters, four scientists who capture ghosts around NYC. In one episode of the Extreme Ghostbuster series, the Boogieman uses children’s fears to grow stronger. The Ghostbusters need to set up fake children’s rooms to lure him out in the open and capture him. The plan backfires when the monster traps the scientists in their own trap, leading the children to confront their fears and banish the ghost back to its realm. This is how 90s cartoons made us into the successful adults we are today.

2 Timothy 1:7 declares that God’s true purpose for humanity is to equip us with spirits of courage and power. Paul was writing to a church that was persecuted for following Jesus, risking their lives. Today, our fears look different, but they are still controlled by a Spirit of false information and threats. We fear that acting out our faith will make us unpopular. We fear that standing up for our beliefs will get us in trouble with our loved ones. We fear that God is going to lose control of our lives, and we will have to fend for our own finances and health. These fears must be met head-on.

Even though 2 Timothy 1:7 says we have a Spirit of courage, it won’t come out all at once and it won’t come naturally by hyping yourself up. We have to pray for moments of clarity and power from God. He is fully invested in debunking fear’s lies. Just like the children who needed a moment of courage to defeat the boogieman, we need to ask God for that same moment over the things that scare us.

So let’s confront our fears with God in our corner. Start by opening up communication about the things you fear and being honest about why they are holding you back. God will not judge you for honesty. When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, he asked his Father to be excused from the awful, horrific thing he needed to do. Then an angel came to strengthen him. That promise is for us as well.

FIGURE IT OUT:

41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”43An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Luke 22:42-43

  1. Circle some keywords or phrases that are significant to you. What makes them important?
  2. In this story, Jesus is moments away from confronting his death on the cross. He prays to God for help. What does he ask for.
  3. How does God help him with his anxiety?
  4. What does it mean that Jesus needed to confront his fears with the help of prayer?

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