There are 366 admonitions to "fear not" in the Bible. You might say there is one for every day of the year, with an extra one thrown in for leap year.

The admonition to "Be not afraid" would not be so prevalent if fear were not so common. Many pretend they are not afraid yet have adopted behaviors that are controlled by fears. They fear failure, fear poverty, fear the disapproval or rejection of others. We fear unpleasant circumstances. Some fear intimacy. Others fear their enemies. Many are slaves during their whole lifetime to the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15).

Jesus often reminds his followers that they have a tendency to lose perspective. Our faith can be pre- empted by fear.

He also warns us not to fear the wrong things. If we have a healthy fear of God all other fears will disappear.

We should have a healthy sense of imminent danger. But how often the eternal dangers of our rebellion, indifference, and ignorance of God are ignored. We know that God could justly sentence each one of us to an eternal existence of separation and punishment. (Romans 3:23; Ezekiel 18:4; Hebrews 9:27).

Jesus said, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5 NIV).

The Supreme Power and Authority is to be taken seriously. Fear God above all else and other fears become disappearing shadows. The fear of God is not one of alarm or torment. It is a reverence and sacred regard for the Ultimate Power and Absolute Righteousness. We should not fear temporal loss when our eternal future is at stake. We should fear the eternal consequences of our disregard of God and His holy commands which is separation from God in a place that was originally prepared for the punishment of Satan and his fallen angels. We should take seriously the supremacy of God's loving offer to salvage our lives and forgive our sins through His only means of justifying the guilty: the sacrifice of His Son on the Cross.

The New Testament teaches that sin is punished before and after death. The expressions 'lake of fire' and 'second death' describe the awful fate of the impenitent. The New Testament also teaches that we can have peace of heart through faith in the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

"In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." (1John 4:17-19 NIV).

Remember God is your Maker, your Redeemer and your friend, and He is always there for you. He will never abandon you. He knows what is best for you and wants you to grow by facing your fears, one by one, and getting over them.

King David said, "I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from ALL MY FEARS." (Psalm 34).

But what is fear really? It is the BELIEF that God is not there with you protecting you. However you know the TRUTH that God is everywhere present, He is all- powerful and all-knowing. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He is not startled and never panics. That is why we need to hide ourselves in Him.

So do not let half-truth stories or inaccurate pictures send to you into fear.

FEAR is spelled - Falsehoods Eclipsing the Almighty's Revelation.

By focusing on the Truth, as it is in Christ Jesus, fear must be dispelled.