Fear of Loss

Season 2 Episode 20 - What is the "fear of loss?"  And what does it have to do with biblical principles for living?  Listen and find out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about living life with God-given purpose and meaning, through applying the Scriptures to life in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Blog by Seth Lewis:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers 3-month paid apprenticeships to unemployed young men.  These apprentices learn valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  The sale of the high-quality furniture they produce supports the ministry.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4-minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.    
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free public domain resources (and many other resources for purchase), including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, devotionals, and maps.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all 

Transcript

Today, I want to share a personal story from my childhood, to illustrate the need for embracing the biblical principles that are leading me to freedom from my past.

Growing up, my dad hurt me in so many ways.  He was an extremely selfish person.  The thing that hurt me the most was that he was not willing to give me anything that cost him any of his money or time or personal comfort.  

For example, he was unwilling to spend time with me.  We could have done things together on the weekends, but we rarely did.  He stayed hidden behind his newspaper, or watching the news, or working on house projects.  

He rarely spent any money on me.  To show you how deep of an impression this made on me, I can remember how big a deal it was that one time he brought me some candy from one of his business trips.  Even as a child, I began to sense that he had the financial resources to spend more on us, but it was clear that he did not want to do so.

(I should pause here and say that during the years after I graduated from college, the Lord brought significant restoration to our relationship, through me learning and applying a profoundly important biblical principle.  But that story is for another episode.  😊)

I have recently come to realize that my childhood experiences contributed to me developing a fear of loss.  It manifested itself primarily in two areas:

• Fear of financial loss
• Fear of relational loss

This fear of loss resulted in me becoming very frugal (which is a nice way of saying that I was stingy, selfish, and tightfisted).  I avoided taking risks, and always chose the safe, conservative path or choice in every situation.  I avoided change whenever possible.  And I took control over situations whenever possible – a way to avoid change or loss.

Why am I discussing the fear of loss?  What does it have to do with biblical principles for living?

Because, at its core, the fear of loss is believing a lie – the lie that God either cannot or will not provide what we need – financially, or emotionally, or physically, or relationally.  Believing this lie allows Satan to gain a foothold in our mind, and to plant subtle doubts in us about the goodness of God.

From the small group curriculum entitled “Freedom,” developed by the Church of the Highlands, I learned the following:

What is the antidote for the fear of loss?

1)  Confess your sin of believing the lie that God will not provide (which allows Satan to gain a foothold).

2)  Replace the lie with the truths that:

• God is always with me.
  • Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
• God’s perfect love drives out fear.
  • 1 John 4:18a NIV  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. 
• God will provide all my needs.
  • Philippians 4:19 NIV  And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
• God gives good gifts to those who ask Him.
  • Matthew 7:11 NIV  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
• Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
  • Psalms 34:10 NIV  The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
• God is able (and willing) to make all grace abound to me.
  • 2 Corinthians 9:8 NASB  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

3)  Repeat these truths to yourself on a regular basis.

Then, you will be free to :

• Be content with what you have. 
  • Hebrews 13:5 NIV  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
• Set your hopes on God.  Recognize that God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 
  • 1 Timothy 6:17 NIV  Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
• Be rich in good works and generosity.
  • 1 Timothy 6:18 NIV  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Will you embrace these biblical truths and be free from the fear of loss?

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”