South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-11-15
THE FOLLY OF FEAR.

4. Fear is a Deadly Enemy. Those
who are living wrong lives ought to
fear, because they are following a
path whose end leads to death, but
for those who would serve God, fear
is a sin. II is doubt of God that
paralyzes our efforts. When God bids
us to do thing, no matter how diff
ficult, we should undertake ii with
full confidence; but If we are kept
from doing 1t by fear it is dishonor-
ing to the Lord. Fear thwarts the
Divine plans for us so that they can
not be accomplished; nothing there
fore is more disastrous. God gave
Joshua his orders concerning the
crossing of the Jordan, and although
He did not tell him how all the diff
ficulties were TO be overcome, Joshua
with courageous faith undertook TO
obey, and what he could not accom-
plish by his own efforts God did for
him, so that the people were taken
across the river in perfect safety. If
Joshua had feared that the crossing
was not possible, he would not have
made the attempt, and would have
missed the wonderful display of Gods
power in making the passage for
them. The reason for most failures
is fear, and the reason for most sue
cesses is courage. If we get it firmly
and a deadly enemy to success. it will
be a great help TO us in performing
our daily duties and in accomplishing
our work.
2. To Lose Heart Is to Lose the
Battle. Moral courage is based upon
God, physical courage is more mat
ter OF the disposition given TO us by
nature, and while it is something
which. when displayed, receives the
admiration of the people, ii is not
nearly as praiseworthy as moral
courage. We say that those who fear
are faint-hearted, while the courag-
eous are called stout-hearted. To be
faint-hearted, or as we sometimes say
TO lose our heart, means failure, for
when a man has lost his heart he has
lost everything Most Of our troubles
are for the purpose of developing our
courage, and to give us experience in
the ways of God. Every difficulty
which impedes our progress, can be
overcome If we keep up our hearts,
and undertake to face it with faith.
We read that out OF the heart are the
issues of life. that from the heart
come evil thoughts, and good
thoughts, and in like manner we may
say that out OF the heart proceed
courage, fortitude and initiative. If
the heart is fearless. undaunted,
event. Even if the particular circum-
stance to which we are opposed
should not be prevented, we have won
the nobler battle Of conquering our
selves; we have kept from cowardice
and doubt of God. Thus whether we
win or lose in the particular things
for which we are battling. we win
the most priceless possession OF
strength and courage.
l.
we realize the true nature OF fear. and
that moral courage is a matter of our
choosing, we shall not likely allow
ourselves TO be afraid. If. however,
we think, as some do, that fear is a
quality beyond our control, we shall
doubtless be frequently overtaken
with this sin that dishonOrs God.
Fear doubts the promises of God, and
breaks a specific commandment. The
following words were spoken as an
encouragement. but they are also a
commandment: Fear thou not; for
l am with thee; be not dismayed for
l am thy God; 1 will strengthen thee;
yea, I Will help thee" To have fore
boding, or doubt or fear, with these
words before us is certainly dishon-
oring TO God. To doubt Gods word,
or his ability. or TO doubt his love in
a sense TO make us fear TO undertake
the duty He assigns us, must be sin
full. Faith and fear are oppositeS.
and it is faith which enables US TO
overcome difficulties as we'll as to
save our souls. Let US therefore
prayerfully cultivate faith.
4. Freedom From Fear is Victory
Itself. If there had been no sin there
would have been no fear. The first
record of fear is in the case of Adam
i and Eve after they had broken Gods
/ commandment They knew they had
done wrong. and their consciences
! accused them, so that when they
/ heard the voice of the Lord God in
| the garden. instead Of running to
meet Him as in their time of inno-
/ cence, they were afraid" and hid
| themselves. IL has ever been thus;
! sin makes men towards 1t is our
| duty TO fight our fears and. by obed-
fence, overcome them and if we thus
! conquer life will be one grand vic
tory. A man like Jacob for example,
who maintained his faith and conf
| dence in God, no matter what the
| difficulties, is the admiration of both
man and God. We read that fear
hath torment. and that perfect love
| casteth out fear. Fear is bondage.
| while faith is victory. O. We fearful
ones. listen TO Gods message: Say
TO them that are of a fearful heart,
! be strong. fear not" This is both
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 70 and an iTnDaraf tive