Unbelief Births Twins – Fear and Worry

Doubt and unbelief are considered disobedience, rebellion, and evil according to God. If we allow unbelief to lodge in our hearts, it will separate us from God causing us to forfeit His peace and rest.

Hebrews 3:12-19 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (NKJ)

Hebrews 4:1-3 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, (NKJ)

It is impossible to be at rest and have worry and fear. I call them twins because where you find one, you usually find the other not far behind. Left unchecked, they will rob you of peace.
According to Webster, fear is “an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. A feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety of someone.”
Worry is defined as “feeling anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems. Mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated.”
Both fear and worry are defined as mental feelings or emotions. The good news is they can be stopped. It does take effort on our part. We must replace worrisome and fearful thoughts with the Word of God.

2 Timmothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJ)

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (NKJ)

1 John 4:18-19 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. (NKJ)

John 14:27-28 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. (NKJ)
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You. (NKJ)

Anxiety is defined as experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness about something with an uncertain outcome. It is the result of misguided attention on the wrong things.

Philippians 4:6-9 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (NKJ)

We can and must control our thoughts. Thoughts will come and go, but the thoughts we meditate on will be the ones we practice.

Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NKJ)

1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Don’t continue to fight the exhausting battle of unbelief alone. Trust in and mediate on His Word. You can be freed from fear and worry.