Fear. I know it well. I jump at my own shadow. It doesn’t take much for me to react fearfully even when in my own house. So family approaches me while calling to me or flickering lights until they get close. Most times this works 🙂
Having grown up in the church, I often heard it said that “Fear not” is mentioned in Scripture 365X – once for each day in the year. Yesterday I googled and much to my surprise discovered there is a discrepancy. But none the less, Scripture tells us to “Fear not” over 100 times. Enough times for us to come to the place of facing fear.
These days we’re living in seem to be breeding grounds for fear:
- protesters able to shut down highways
- shootings in hospitals
- measles outbreak
- unemployment rising
- Ebola
- heinous acts by terrorists
As I think about the many deeds and situations which can prompt fear, I turn and read –
When I am afraid,
I will trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?
(Psalm 56:3-4, NIV)
It is then I am reminded of two truths:
- Have faith and trust in God. We must, must have absolute faith in God. We must possess a trust which is marked by an unshakable confidence that God’s help will come to us when we need it.
- God is sovereign. Man is ever powerless in his attempts to thwart God’s plan in our lives.
Jesus knew these days of difficulties would raise up fear in our hearts and minds. He knew we would need more. We would need more of Him in increasing measure –
“Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubles and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)
Jesus knew we lived in a world filled with frustrations, anger, violence and meaningless deaths. He knew we were going to need peace, His peace, in order to calm our troubled hearts and ease our fears.
And so, He gives to us – His people – the only known antidote to fear – His Presence and His Word.
Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Three Word Wednesday and Wedded Wednesday and Works for Me and Coffee & Conversation and Women With Intention and Tuesday at Ten .
Love this post, especially this…”He gives to us ”“ His people ”“ the only known antidote to fear ”“ His Presence and His Word.” Thank you for this encouragement this morning â¤ï¸
I’m grateful you were encouraged. May you continue to find encouragement in His Word. It always amazes me the peace which fills me as I read. Have a great weekend!
Amen! He knew we would need the Comforter, Christ in us. So thankful for His presence today. Blessings!
Nannette, I love the words you chose in this comment. He knew we would need Him & made it possible, through His Holy Spirit, for us to take Him with us everywhere we go. May I reflect on that & remember this each & every day. You bless in so many ways!
Love this reminder that we just need God’s presence to overpower the fear and strengthen us.
We surely do, Kathryn. Every day. In every way. And He is faithful!
I love this! It’s so true Jesus’ perfect love drives out fear. Thanks for your faithfulness in linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Kristin, love your choice of words – “drives out fear”. Brought the image of Jesus using the same force & anger which He used in the temple to dispel fear from our lives. May we remember how protective He is of His own.
This post is a gem. Not only do you focus on eliminating our fear through His Word, but you have shown how we can draw from the secular to find faith-filled inspiration through the characters of literature, like Piglet. Well done! Thank you for sharing! BTW, I came to our posts through THE COLISIUM Facebook group. Blessings!
Thank you for your encouragement. The Consileum is a wonderful group! I am loving being there. Thank you for stopping here & sharing!
I’ve been plagued with fears all my life, so I love your two reminders: Trust in God and remember he is sovereign. They truly do help. I’m so thankful that God’s presence is the antidote to fear!
Lisa, I am grateful if my words were a help to you. May we always be mindful of His Presence with us when fear lurks in our lives. We can overcome. Blessings!
I meant THE CONSILIUM. (Thank you, spell check for attempting to change my words to what you believe I wanted to write.)
I knew exactly what you meant. Spell check may know how to spell but it surely cannot read our minds 🙂
Heck, I’m terrified…my body’s falling apart, and the last weekend was a frankly horrifying interlude. The dogs were in a panic, and my wife said, look, if it’s time to go, GO already.
But then, I had some responses to the blog post I had scheduled for Monday…saying that THIS was why I was still here. (It was on what a lady should do if she finds her husband viewing pornography, if you’re interested).
Can’t tell you what that meant to me. Absolutely can’t, but those comments but more steel in my backbone.
There is no such thing as fearlessness. Please trust me on this – I have been trained in what is now called “enhanced interrogation”, and EVERYONE breaks. Please don’t hate me for this. It was for a good cause.
But what there is, that no amount of coercion can ever overcome, is the resolve to hang on for one more minute.
And that is heroism. That is the abolition of fear…to hold on for that one minute.
It’s interesting that you should write about this today, Joanne, since my reading today was in the first chapter of Matthew where the angel appeared to Joseph and told him (as most angels do) “do not be afraid.” Isn’t it strange that we fear the most potent manifestations of God, when that’s the time to relax and rest in His plan and His power?! Yes, I will tell myself like Piglet to not be afraid. My thought for this day is, “Do not fear–surrender!” and I’m surrendering it moment-by-moment to the Lord! Thanks for your inspiring and sweet thoughts that encourage us all, Joanne! Hugs to you!
Beth, thank you for sharing! It is a moment by moment surrender. And even in that, He enables us. Love how the post coincided with your reading. Have a wonderful weekend!
I look forward to “Winnie’s Wisdom” each week! Thanks for sharing at Women With Intention Wednesdays! I look forward to what you will be sharing this week!