Fear Not
I fear fear. It’s a life-robber. Fear can change us, make us sick, ruin our marriages and, most of all, keep us away from the intimacy with God and the refuge in him that we are designed for. Fear is tangible, powerful, and so very destructive. It can cripple and paralyze.
Jesus knows that fear is prevalent in the world we live in. While he walked this earth he had more reason to fear than anyone ever had. Yet he gave us the example of courage and strength and purpose by praying constantly to the Father and assuring us of how he cares for us.
It’s so easy to worry and fear, especially in these uncertain times. But as I write the words “uncertain times,” I realize that any time in history has been uncertain in the aspect of man’s ability to control his own future. The year 2020 has certainly shown itself to be a year out of control. But the good news to one who puts his or her trust in the one true God is that this year does not come as a surprise, and he has not “lost control.”
Struggling with fear and worry and doubt is common to all of us. That’s why Jesus declared in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have shalom. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have over come the world!” So whose voice will we choose to listen to? Jesus or the news? Jesus or what people say? Jesus or our own emotions? I have a very annoying app on my phone which every few hours gives me dire updates on the virus, along with lots of other bad news. I could easily succumb to the fear it calls me to. And sometimes I do, for a bit. But that is not the voice I want to listen to. I am going to delete this app. Colossians 3:2 says, “Focus your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Focus—who or what is our focus? When our thoughts go so easily to what might happen IF, we have to purposely REPLACE them with the truth that God has given us in his Word. Remembering the character and power of God, memorizing scriptures that speak words of comfort and strength, listening to powerful music, reading stories of the faithful that have gone before us are ways to take our thoughts captive. These are all intentional and don’t happen if we don’t make them.
Ephesians 6:10-17 gives us explicit instructions on how to battle the schemes of the devil, which is exactly where fear comes from. The devil wants to do anything he can to distract us from our focus on Jesus and not live the victorious life meant for followers of Jesus. The world is watching to see how we deal with the challenges and suffering in this life. The most meaningful and lasting lessons I have learned have been either through my own trials or through the attitudes of people I know or have read about in their suffering. Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” One thing is for sure—there is suffering in this world. But Jesus has overcome the world! And he has glory yet to reveal to us. That is a promise to cling to.
We all have limited time in this earthly life and we are called to make the best out of the time that we have, doing the works that God has prepared beforehand for us. We, as Christians, are called to much more than worry and fear. We are to trust in the One who knew us even before he formed us in our mother’s womb. He has a purpose and a plan for each of our lives. How can we fulfill these if we are walking in fear? If we are so wrapped up and consumed with our own selves, how can we trust the One who has purpose for our lives in doing the work he has prepared? We get to share in partnering with God for work in his kingdom! And his plans are always better than ours, even if they aren’t the plans that make us the most comfortable.
Maybe the biggest fear we all have is the fear of death, and we know that Jesus took care of that for us. Hebrews 2:14, “Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He himself likewise shared the same humanity—so that through death He might break the power of the one who had the power of death (that is, the devil) and free those who by fear of death were in bondage all their lives.” For a Christian to live in bondage of fear is not the way our Father wants us to live. We must turn unwanted circumstances into thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” That means everything. And what a challenge that is! It is a shift in perspective from “my will” to “thy will.” And it is an intentional act. So through prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, and our own intentional change in heart and attitude we can be overcomers in this world of bad news and struggle.
Proverbs 1:33, “But whoever pays attention to me will live securely.”
