FEAR NOT

A few years ago when my husband and I were flying home from a trip I kept hearing snippets of the latest news updates as we were walking through the airport regarding Ebola and the devastating potential of this deadly disease. Next, I noticed my social media lighting up with breaking news of yet another vicious attack on our Christian faith. Family Research Council reported, “A mayor in Houston issued an unprecedented legal demand that several key pastors turn over sermons, emails, and text messages, even communications with members of their congregations, under the threat of fines imprisonment or both. The pastors that have been targeted are pastors who have spoken out against Mayor Parker's LGBT special rights ordinance.” Wait, is this happening in America or China? Friends this is happening right here in the good ole US of A!

I heard a lady say we are living in constant fear; this is a world full of fear. It is true, as we approach the “last days” we will see many more horrific plagues, catastrophic acts of nature, evil being called good and good being called evil, and attacks on our most basic rights to believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In fact, Twitter blocked a campaign yesterday to protect the pastors called #HoustonWeHaveAProblem.

Fear’s close cousin is anxiety, and it is hard to separate fear and anxiety as these two emotions feed off each other. The definition of anxiety is “fear about what might happen.” Many refer to our present period as the “Age of Anxiety”. Every single one of us has our fears; none of us is exempt.

As followers of Christ, we are told not to live under a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (NKJV). We have Almighty God looking over us, caring for us and guiding us. Did you know the opposite of fear is not courage; the opposite of fear is love.…“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). In the context, this verse means there will be no fear for us on Judgment day; our eternity is secure. But it is also an encouragement to keep accepting God’s love more and more because the more I grow in His love, the less fear I will experience. The Greek word for perfect here means complete or mature. When we live under a spirit of fear, it is God’s way of showing us we have not accepted enough of His love; we need to mature more in His love. We have not allowed His love to drive out our fears. 

I know that is easier said than done; just two weeks ago we received some scary news that could affect our family for years to come. Below are the steps I kept going over and over from Psalm 3 when David was fleeing for his life from a hostile coup led by his beloved son. I encourage you to write down these five steps David revealed to us and practice them. 

Rosa Parks said, “I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done, does away with fear.”

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