Fear

Yesterday I was in the children's home I go to help with dinner each day. As I was there, a thunderstorm blew in. It wasn't huge, but the thunder and lighting were very close. The house mother in the house became very scared. She started crying and made all the children huddle near her. Usually they eat at tables, but that night they had a picnic at her feet. She kept looking at me asking why I wasn't afraid. I calming said that thunderstorms did not make me scared. (I didn't tell her that growing up my dad and I would sit outside and watch storms come in. I could tell she was too scared for that). I asked her why she was scared and she told me this story...

Shortly after her husband left, a big thunderstorm came in. She was at home alone with her four small children. The house was struck by lighting and burnt to "ashes." Thankfully her and her children got out of the house safely. As she told the story, you could tell her fear was getting stronger. She told me she did not want that to happen to her new children (BG kids). I was able to pray with her and the children and she calmed down. She told me I was protecting her, I quickly said that God was our protector, not me. She then tired to convince me that I needed to sleep there last night instead of in my house.

The more I thought about her story, the more I thought about fear. With every thunder clap and flash of lightening, she jumped and screamed, which only made the children scared as well (except one child who laughed every time). Her body was so full of fear that she had a hard time doing anything else. As children, we learn to trust those around us. They should bring safety and peace, but as we grow, fear creeps in and we become distrusting. Some say that fear is the absence of faith, but I feel fear is the absence of trust. I have faith in God that he is our protector and provider, but I also have fear at times in how He will provide. Trusting in Him lessens that fear and makes me cling to Him more.

Fear is not a bad feeling, until it cripples us from doing what God wants us to do. In the Old Testament, people were told to fear God and His mighty power. In the New Testament, Jesus came to rid people of their fear of eternal shame and give them hope of a heavenly future. In a way, fear shows authority to the One who created everything and has the right to "uncreated" it as well. Thankfully through the grace and mercy of Christ, we do not have to fear our future. By following God with our hands open to His will, He will protect and provide.

What are you afraid of? If we are all honest, we all have fears in our life that at times take over our body and emotions. Fears can be deep and even though you have faith in God and in His power, you still have fear. Some fears are a result of something bad. Like the house mother, she was scared of lighting because it burnt her house down. Are you afraid of being alone, because you were hurt by people? Are you afraid of planes, because of bad flight? Are you afraid of yourself, because of an insecurity in you?

Whatever your fear, God does not want you to be consumed by it. He wants you to live a life free of  the crippling fear that is limiting you from fully living. When I get scared, there are some things I do that help me a lot. First, pray against it. Second tell someone, that way if you can't pray against it, because the fear is so strong, someone else can. Third, read scripture that bring hope and power. Lastly, listen to music that calms you and builds you up.

Scripture...
"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? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD."  Psalm 27:1-6

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  John 14:27

"I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?"   Psalm 118:5-6

"The Spirit you received does not make you salves so that you live in fear again; rather the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry 'Abba Father'."  Romans 8:15

"For the Spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

And remember there is one thing that takes away all fear and it can only be found through Jesus Christ.

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because of fear has to do with punishment."  1 John 4:18.

God is love. He wants you to live in that love. Let go on the fear and allow His perfect love to flow over you.