It’s not easy, but I do my best to avoid taking the bait of fear.
There’s a growing apprehensiveness that appears to be gripping people’s hearts today. People are nervous and uneasy. Will we ever get beyond COVID? Will inflation destabilize our economy? Is it possible to trust the government? What’s the answer to declining church attendance? What hope do we have for our children’s future?
And the list of concerns is never-ending!
We do not live life without experiencing fear. But we can live life without allowing fear to control us. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that the necessary antecedent for anxiety is faith:
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock” - Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV).
The psalmist frequently reminds us of the role faith has in overcoming fear. He tells us not to worry because of those who do evil (Psalm 37:1). He assures us that God is always present with us even if the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the seas (Ps. 46:2-5).
Even bad news is unable to shake one’s confidence for those whose focus is on God:
“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid…” (Ps. 112:7-8a)
What alarms you? What message of fear do you need to address? Is it time to refuse the alluring bait of fear and refocus your faith in God?
The one fear I don’t want to lose is my fear of God — that reverential awe that inspires faith, allowing me to face my fears with confidence.
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