No one likes to truly be afraid. Sure, there are thrill-seekers, who do outrageous things - they push the limits and get their heart rates up in anticipation of some thing or event that will place them right on the edge of safe and unsafe. This fear is their choice. However, real fear, being truly afraid, is not a willful choice. Often times, it just presents itself. Here are some examples:
- we are driving along and suddenly, out of nowhere, an out of control tractor-trailer is speeding toward us, and we are trapped in our lane - unable to get out of the way of impending danger. That’s real fear.
- we are at the doctor for a routine check-up when confronted with the news that our test results have come back expressing a need for further investigation. The grim look on the doctor’s face provides no comfort. That’s real fear.
- we work at a job for a number of years, only to find out that the job is being eliminated. we have no savings. No one to turn to. No local support, but plenty of bills and loans to pay. That’s real fear.
So, what can we do about it? First, we recognize that it is fear. Sometimes we like to pawn it off on some other emotion. Yet, we need to rightfully call it what it is. Fear. As Edward Welch says, we need to expose our fears and in doing so, we will find peace. The peace that is waiting for us upon the exposure of our fears comes directly from God.
So, we take all of our fears to God. We “expose them to the light of day because the more you find the more blessed you will be when you hear words of peace and comfort.” (Edward Welch, Running Scared: fear, worry and the God of rest)
When we carry those fears, whether it be a basket-load or a truck-load, we leave them with our God. He has the power to speak peace over our very circumstances. He has the power to calm our fears and provide us with all that we stand in need of. He has the power. We don’t.
I encourage you to spend some time studying fear from the biblical perspective. Surely there were times when God’s people were afraid. As you study, you will see how God answered each of their prayers and requests to Him. You will see how He used His power to deliver. And you will also have an opportunity to read their response.
- Abraham was afraid, but God told him something valuable in Genesis 15. Check that out.
- Hagar was afraid for her son, but God addressed her in Genesis 21
- The Disciples were afraid during the storm at sea, but Jesus stepped in to calm them, as it is told in the gospels.
- John 14:27 addresses the peace that is available to us if we lay fear down and pick up peace.
See, there are lots of opportunities to find out what God says about fear in His Word, both Old and New Testaments. So, please, don’t let fear govern you. Govern yourself by His Word.
Sanya,
I so agree about fear. I often let it get the best of me.
Thank you in advance for reading and reviewing Life in Defiance for the blog tour this week. I really appreciate it! I'm going to be out of town for a few days, so I thought I would say thank you early!
With joy and thanks,
Mary DeMuth
http://www.marydemuth.com