Note:  The following are ideas shared by Pastor Kyle Huber of Greentree Church (New Jersey) with our team in Chichicastenango this morning.  These are some notes I took.  I hope they are an encouragement to you, as they are to me.

Psalm 27:1 – The LORD is my light and my salvation; 
Whom shall I fear? 
The LORD is the defense of my life; 
Whom shall I dread?

Is God big enough to carry our fears?

Three reasons God is greater than our fears:

1. He is the Light

a. Darkness is frightening because it holds uncertainty

b. God is light; there is no darkness in Him.  There is no uncertainty  in God because  He is Light

d. God will be glorified and we will be with Him

2. He is our Salvation

a. Everyone should fear standing before God and receiving His judgment

b. We are saved from the need to fear; instead we are given salvation and wholeness

c. What can we lose when everything is our Father’s?

3. He is our stronghold

a. Picture of a fortress

b. Psalm 27:2-3 – “When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.”

c. You cannot walk through this world without being attacked by it.  Evil comes against us , BUT God has us within His power.  We are walking in the realm of His goodness.  Enemies may touch us, but we are still in His hands

g. Even when we sin, we are in His hands

h. Zach 2:8 –  For thus says the LORD of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”

 Strong faith is not immune to burdens, strong faith responds correctly to the burdens we have.

 Three ways to give our fears to God:

1. Don’t hold on to them ourselves
   1. Actually give them to God and leave them with Him
   2. Phil 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
   3. Peace doesn’t come when we see how it will work out; that’s trusting in ourselves.  Peace comes when we can’t see how or why.  Peace will guard.
   4. Fearful things will come, but we don’t need to stay in fear.
   5. Let go, it belongs to Him – TRUST HIM
2. Not relying on what is fearful
1. Anything that can fail, is a fearful thing to rely on
2. When we rely on ourselves, others, money, etc. we have fear because all of those things can fail.
3. If we are relying on ANYTHING else beside God, we will have fear because it can fail.
3. Stop listening to yourself and start talking to yourself
1. Stop listening to the self accusations, comparisons, etc.
2. Start preaching the gospel/truth of God’s word to yourself.

Is God big enough to hold all your fears?