FEAR. What comes to mind when you hear this word? Does your heart leap a bit? Do you think of your bank account? your children? an enemy?
OR… do you think of THE strong and mighty one who stands for you?
There are many meanings for this little word…FEAR… such a small little word yet so great.
So, what does fear mean, exactly?
There is a good side to this word. There is a healthy fear that keeps us from getting too close to a flame, from getting too close to the edge of a cliff, and the God given reverent fear for our Comforter, Creator, and Protector.
Yet, there remains one other fear… the destructive life destroying fear. A terrifying fear. A fear that comes from our enemy.
My heart is heavy today for those I love who are in bondage to this fear. I see their lives being sucked away from them in many different ways. All while another little word… FREE… lies waiting for them just beyond the FEAR.
The Bible assures us of this freedom countless times… so many times I believe that God repeated it on purpose. He knew just how much we needed reminders that fear is not what HE wants for His children.
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
Proverbs 29:25
The destructive fear has no place in a child of God’s heart, for our LORD gives us confidence in HIM.
“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” Proverbs 14:26-27
Our lives can literally be ruined by the constant nag of fear. Yet, fundamentally this fear comes from not trusting… in truth… not trusting God. Why? Why would we not trust the ONE who has promised to keep us in His hand? Do we really know God?
I believe here lies the real problem, and why so many people have such a hard time trusting that God is in control. Is God good? Is He perfect, kind, just, fair, honest, all-powerful, all-knowing?
Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m not stating that we live in a perfect world where nothing ever goes wrong… sin ruined that. Yet, because I know my God; I know that He has a plan.
Sometimes, it isn’t pleasant. Just like when He gave His dear Son to die in order to take away our sins. He understands… He lost a child. Yet, that loss was – like everything else – part of a BIG PLAN.
As a favorite preacher puts it it’s The Best Love Story ever Told! Our lives as well… with their ups and downs, tragedies, and victories are also part of that love story.
But fear is not part of His plan for us.
Fear. How can it be overcome? Definitely not alone… for we alone do not have the strength to withstand the enemy’s whispers. Our hope is in Him and freedom awaits us through HIM!
Psalm 53:5 says, “There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee…”
Doesn’t that sound just like us? We are often in fear where there isn’t really a reason to fear. We can boldly say through HIM, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps. 27:1,3
Oh the freedom that awaits when this verse can be wholly and completely applied to our lives.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psalm 46:2
Wow. How can we get to that place? That freedom… can’t you just picture the earth crumbling and the waves crashing? Living through that without fear – is beyond us, something only God can do!
It is through no strength of our own… for we, like this world have been ruined by sin. Yet, through HIS strength and HIS grace that He so plentifully wishes to bestow on us… we can victoriously stand in the face of fear without blinking an eye. It is only through that amazing gift that we can say with the Psalmist,
Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Ps. 23:4
Will you take that step with me and trust Him today? Rest. Find Freedom from fear in Him.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear (reverence God), and shall trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:3