User Menu Triggers

Fear
By Philipp Rüsch
Europe,
Global,
NW Europe
Jesus knows we have fears, and he is aware of the reality of troubles and worries in our lives (John 16.33). He never belittles our fears and actually takes them quite seriously. But he also knows how fears can limit our faith, confine our actions, cause our souls to wither and lead to irrational decisions.
Fear is helpful to some extent. Fearing danger is for our own sake and protection. If we wouldn't fear anything, I would be worried about our general state and emotional balance. Healthy concerns help us to protect ourselves and prepare for unwanted circumstances. What I see today happening, however, is how uncertainty widely leads to fear, anxiety and irrational behavior.
I for one am concerned about my parents’ health in this coronavirus situation. They are older and have some preconditions, so the potential risk is not to be taken lightly. I think this concern is legit. But we need to be careful about the moment when concerns turn to fear.
Because fear can paralyze you. It limits your thinking capacity for long-term good decisions, and you just want to run and flee, which in many situations might not be the best option. Fear and anxiety also have many more negative effects on your body and brain; our immune system and the way we think is directly affected by this form of stress. I believe that is why we read so many times in the Bible: “fear not” (apparently 365 times, but I didn’t confirm this). If fear wouldn’t be so dangerous, would we read these many encouragements that speaks directly against it?!
My personal guiding verse through this current crisis is Daniel 10:19 (MSG): “‘Don’t be afraid, friend. Peace. Everything is going to be all right. Take courage. Be strong.’” It is part of God's big love to invite us not to fear but to trust him. I think we read this so many times in the Bible because Jesus knows it is not a one-time act to cast our fears on him but something we regularly need to do. We need to make this a habit in our lives.
When we see paralyzing fear creeping up again, we need to cast it to Jesus. Again and again. Habits are hugely important in life in general and especially in our current situation. Our brain is a wonderful tool and it remembers how we have dealt and acted before. Thus, routines and habits will get easier time after time. I believe this is true for casting our fears to Jesus. Do it regularly. Daily.
The wonderful thing about giving our fears away is that we get something in return: Peace. Looking back at my life, I have experienced the reality of God the most in situations when he exchanged my fear with his peace. He loves doing that. And I can testify there are no fears bigger than God's peace. God's wonderful peace is all-encompassing.
Fear is helpful to some extent. Fearing danger is for our own sake and protection. If we wouldn't fear anything, I would be worried about our general state and emotional balance. Healthy concerns help us to protect ourselves and prepare for unwanted circumstances. What I see today happening, however, is how uncertainty widely leads to fear, anxiety and irrational behavior.
I for one am concerned about my parents’ health in this coronavirus situation. They are older and have some preconditions, so the potential risk is not to be taken lightly. I think this concern is legit. But we need to be careful about the moment when concerns turn to fear.
Because fear can paralyze you. It limits your thinking capacity for long-term good decisions, and you just want to run and flee, which in many situations might not be the best option. Fear and anxiety also have many more negative effects on your body and brain; our immune system and the way we think is directly affected by this form of stress. I believe that is why we read so many times in the Bible: “fear not” (apparently 365 times, but I didn’t confirm this). If fear wouldn’t be so dangerous, would we read these many encouragements that speaks directly against it?!
My personal guiding verse through this current crisis is Daniel 10:19 (MSG): “‘Don’t be afraid, friend. Peace. Everything is going to be all right. Take courage. Be strong.’” It is part of God's big love to invite us not to fear but to trust him. I think we read this so many times in the Bible because Jesus knows it is not a one-time act to cast our fears on him but something we regularly need to do. We need to make this a habit in our lives.
When we see paralyzing fear creeping up again, we need to cast it to Jesus. Again and again. Habits are hugely important in life in general and especially in our current situation. Our brain is a wonderful tool and it remembers how we have dealt and acted before. Thus, routines and habits will get easier time after time. I believe this is true for casting our fears to Jesus. Do it regularly. Daily.
The wonderful thing about giving our fears away is that we get something in return: Peace. Looking back at my life, I have experienced the reality of God the most in situations when he exchanged my fear with his peace. He loves doing that. And I can testify there are no fears bigger than God's peace. God's wonderful peace is all-encompassing.
Philipp Rüsch
Philipp Rüsch lives in Switzerland and leads TWR Europe & CAMENA’s HR team as well as MemberCareMedia.com. Setting healthy habits for a resilient life is one of his passions.
Europe,
Global,
NW Europe
Bring the hope of Jesus to women WORLDWIDE! Gifts doubled in impact during our $46,000 Challenge Gift opportunity!
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Featured,
MIF,
TWR Women of Hope,
USA WOH
TWR MOTION tells God's story through animated videos, believing people of all cultures deserve to hear about Jesus in a way...
Global,
MIF,
TWR MOTION,
Unreached
The Way of Righteousness is a radio program that is expanding rapidly around the TWR world because of its proven ability to...
Global,
MIF
Because of TWR’s vast coverage area — made possible through high-power radio broadcasts, internet streaming, and other digital...
Global,
MIF,
RFTW,
SOH
Bring the hope of Jesus to women WORLDWIDE! Gifts doubled in impact during our $46,000 Challenge Gift opportunity!
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Featured,
MIF,
TWR Women of Hope,
USA WOH
A trafficked or sexually exploited woman is often hidden in plain sight. A different story can become her reality, but who will...
Europe - Northwest,
Global,
Hope Challenge,
TWR Women of Hope,
USA WOH
All around the world, women in countless countries are suffering in ways that create unique hardships for them. Oppressed and...
Global,
Hope Challenge,
RFTW,
SOH,
TWR Women of Hope,
USA WOH
Dr. Luke is an evangelistic health and hygiene program written by a Christian doctor who brings a biblical perspective to...
Global,
MIF
TWR360.org is the world’s premier online tool for accessing Christian media resources in over 140 languages – and growing. The...
Global,
MIF,
RFTW,
SOH,
TWR360
Women in some cultures are not usually taught that they are precious to God or viewed as equal to men. We want to share with...
Global,
Hope Challenge,
MIF,
TWR Women of Hope
Can't find what you're looking for or a role that fits you? Let us know about your interests and skills and we'll help you do...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Full Time,
Part Time,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Volunteer
Use your knowledge about the people of Afghanistan to bring the good news to this hard-pressed people group!
Administrative,
Project Management,
Americas,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Featured,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Planning, implementing, and supporting IT cybersecurity that enables TWR to reach the world for Christ so that lasting fruit is...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Full Time,
Information Technology,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary
Plan and support information technology and systems that enable TWR to reach the world for Christ so that lasting fruit is...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Cyprus,
Singapore,
South Africa,
USA,
Featured,
Full Time,
Part Time,
Information Technology,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Volunteer
Oversee and plan information technology and systems that enable TWR to reach the world for Christ so that lasting fruit is...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Americas - North,
Full Time,
Information Technology,
Project Management,
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Volunteer,
USA
Use your animation skills to create quality, gospel-centered videos for our church planting partners!
A-V Production,
Americas,
Europe,
Global,
Americas - North,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary
Do you want to use your illustration skills to share Jesus’ message of hope with the world?
A-V Production,
Americas,
Europe,
Global,
Americas - North,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Developing software and systems that enable TWR’s worldwide mass media reach.
Africa,
Americas,
Europe,
Global,
Americas - North,
Featured,
Full Time,
Part Time,
Information Technology,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Volunteer,
USA
Join our audio production team to record, edit, and produce gospel spots, features, promotions, and programs for global...
A-V Production,
Africa,
Americas,
Europe,
Global,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Remote
Can't find what you're looking for or a role that fits you? Let us know about your interests and skills and we'll help you do...
Africa,
Americas,
Asia,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Full Time,
Part Time,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
Long-term (1+ years),
Short-term (3-12 mo.),
Missionary,
Volunteer
Be a part of the global mission field while using your gifts in accounting and finance!
Americas,
Americas - North,
Finance,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
USA
Aid our IT department with administrative tasks!
Administrative,
Information Technology,
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Use your knowledge about the people of Afghanistan to bring the good news to this hard-pressed people group!
Administrative,
Project Management,
Americas,
Europe,
Global,
Middle East,
Featured,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Work with an international team to record, edit and produce media content for global distribution.
A-V Production,
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
USA
Analyze audience responses to help improve our ministry to the unreached!
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Information Technology,
Internship (2-3 mo.),
USA
Connect churches’ global outreach calling to TWR’s international media ministry!
Administrative,
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Missionary,
USA
Use your graphic design skills to further the Great Commission!
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Full Time,
Long-term (1+ years),
Marketing,
Missionary,
USA
Assist with renovation and repair projects at our office and lodge facilities!
Americas,
Global,
Americas - North,
Featured,
Long-term (1+ years),
Maintenance,
Part Time,
USA,
Volunteer
Joe Barker was born in Canada and grew up as a pastor’s son in Canada, the U.S. and the Bahamas before studying communications...
Global,
Leadership
Lonnie joined TWR in September 2017. He is the author of Every Man A Warrior, a men’s ministry discipleship curriculum that has...
Global,
Leadership
Harry and Eileen have collectively served with TWR on Guam, in the Netherlands and now from within the U.S.
Administrative,
Global
After serving in Austria and Cyprus, Laura serves as Assistant Caretaker of the TWR Lodge welcoming staff and guests visiting...
Administrative,
Marketing,
Global
Tyler and Jennifer relocated from Oregon to serve with TWR in North Carolina. Tyler is the Vice President of Digital Ministry.
Global,
Leadership,
Marketing
The Detwilers have been with TWR since September 1982 serving in Eswatini (Swaziland), Monaco, the Netherlands and the U.S....
Administrative,
Finance,
Global
For the past four decades, God has taken Jon and Noonie on a journey serving in Christian media.
Global,
Leadership
Hi, I'm Kelly! After I graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in Broadcasting and Digital Media, I served as a...
A-V Production,
Global
Andrew serves as adaptation coordinator for TWR MOTION, our film ministry.
A-V Production,
Global