Against Fear

My name is Hermien Pellissier and I am a child of God, living in South Africa. I have been a Christian since I can remember. But over the last few years I have really started to know the Lord, to understand what He made possible for us. In this blog I want to share with you the insights that I have gained so far. I have no doubt that I still have much more to discover. But what I already know, I make available to you!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (WEBBE): 16Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I will soon put together a list of the books and teachings that have shaped my views over time. I am grateful to all the people that have made my journey easier by teaching what they know! They saved me years of study! But remember, whatever you read here or anywhere else, measure it against the Bible – that is the only authoritative source!

The Scripture that is currently very central in my life is 2 Timothy 1:7. That is also where the title of the blog comes from.

2 Timothy 1:7 (WEBBE): For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

This single verse contains so much. Read it again, slowly. Think about each word. Then read the full chapter to see the context (you can find the World English Bible British Edition chapter here).

The first time this verse really came to life for me, the emphasis was on the first part – “God didn’t give us a spirit of fear”. I was on my way to minister to a friend when the devil tried to scare me into not doing God’s will. And honestly at first that strategy was working – I was literally getting petrified. Scenarios played out in my mind, each worse than the one before. And then this scripture came to mind. Fear is NOT from God! Of course He can warn us about danger, but it will NOT be accompanied by paralysing dread! And so I was able to speak this Scripture and break the hold of fear.

That day I realised that fear is ever-present in the lives of most people, Christians included. We are afraid of not being accepted. We are afraid of being poor. We are afraid of missing out on the fun activities in life. We are afraid for our safety. The list goes on… it seems like each person can be fearful of something different. But none of these fears are from God. That is the enemy trying to distract us from living the life that Jesus made possible for us!

Psalm 46:1-2 (WEBBE):
1God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes,
though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
3though its waters roar and are troubled,
though the mountains tremble with their swelling.

Read the rest of Psalm 46 here.

Do you believe, REALLY believe so that it becomes a part of you, that God can be your refuge in all circumstances? Then fear will have no hold over you!