Spiraling

October 19, 2025

John Elmer, Founding Pastor

Facing the Fears that Ruin Relationships

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares about you.”

1 Peter 5:7

1. My fear of exposure makes me distant.

But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.”

Genesis 3:9-10

2. My fear of disapproval makes me defensive.

The man said, “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the

tree, and I ate it.”

Genesis 3:12

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:13b

3. My fear of losing control makes me controlling.

“Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

Genesis 3:16b

The Antidote:

A. Move with the mind of Jesus in the relationship.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:5

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against

someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13

B. Swim in the love Jesus has for you.

Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away

sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent then you will lift up your

face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.

Job 11:13-15

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35, 37-39

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11