2 Things You Gotta Know About FEAR
We have all been there - standing face to face with circumstances that leave us overwhelmed and helpless, while fear whispers to our hearts. It happens to those who believe in the Lord, as well as those who don’t. Fear is real, and often valid. It is a natural reaction to danger, or what our minds perceive as danger. Take bears, for example. We SHOULD be afraid of bears. They are dangerous. Fear is part of the instinct that helps us react properly to danger and dangerous situations.
Where the slope gets slippery is when we allow that fear to control us, rather than turn to the One who wants to be our refuge. God wants us to bring our fears to Him, and to be still with Him over those fears. He wants to bring comfort, peace and shelter. Psalm 91:1-2 says:
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”
I LOVE the image that He is our “fortress”. A fortress represents strength and protection, and is there and ready when we need it. God calls us to Him as that fortress when the world closes in and squeezes our hearts with fear. He wants us to unfold our fingers from the tight grasp we hold on our safety, and to use situations to lead us and grow us. He wants us to give Him our fears, and to leave them there with Him.
We have such ideas about fear that we press onto ourselves, and to others - Ideas that are not based on truth. In order to face our own fears, it’s important that we understand what fear is NOT.
1. The presence of fear is not a sin.
While God tells us many times throughout scripture to “fear not”, He does not do so with judgement or disappointment. He knows that we need His strength to overcome fear. He calls us His sheep, and sheep need a Shepherd as their protector and guide.
It is important that we understand the difference between fear and anxiety. Max Lucado explains it this way:
“Anxiety and fear are cousins but not twins. Fear sees a threat. Anxiety imagines one.”
Anxiety, just like fear, is not a sin but it is a SIGNAL. When you feel fear, allow that to become your prayer signal. In fear we pray. In fear we get on our knees. In fear we ask God to release more power. Fear is a signal that we are sheep and we need a Shepherd.
2. The absence of fear is not the goal.
While scripture tells us to fear not, these are words of comfort, not condemnation. God wants us to put our trust in Him. He wants us put our faith and our hope in HIM over our fears. He wants to be the fortress that shelters us.
In closing, show me someone who is never afraid and I’ll show you someone who is not committing to something beyond themselves. If you’re waiting to do something great or if you’re waiting to become something great once you’re not afraid... you’ll be waiting for the rest of your life. Sometimes we just have to do things scared. Faithfulness in the midst of fear brings more glory to God than just about anything I know of. Faithfulness in the midst of fear says, “God, you’re greater than my greatest fears”.
We’re called to triumph over fear, not try to live life without it.