Fear

fear is an emotion that seems to be more and more prevalent in our society. to take it a step further, not only is this a feeling that is occurring naturally, it's being promoted by magazines, newspapers, politicians, radio personalities, television shows...you name it.

fear the economy! fear health care reform! fear terrorism! fear the swine flu! fear the government! fear those that protest the government! fear the end of the world! fear changes in the environment! fear getting older! fear gaining weight! fear is being promoted all around us.

as i found myself being sucked into all the fear mongering going on around me, i had a great conversation with shane and it finally dawned on me that i did not truly believe God is in control of the universe. yep...i'm that bad. the very fact that i had so much fear in my heart about a plethora of these issues was a big, bright flashing light showing my lack of faith. if i truly believed, as i have said i do, that God is in control, there would be no fear of the things of this world.

in romans 8:31 it says, very clearly that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" if as a christian i believe this to be true, then i should not be concerned about what is coming. i should not buy into the fear that this world is trying to instill in our society. swine flu or not...God is with us. terrorism or not...God is with us. poor economy or not...God is with us. we must start living as a people of faith, not as a people in fear. i am in need of repentance for my lack of faith and trust in a God who loves me.

understanding this has changed my thinking significantly. however, there are things that i still fear, but they are more from a spiritual nature. i fear for the many dear friends i have that still have not come to know Christ. i fear that somehow i have not done the work that i need to do to help them. now that is a scary thought, and as Christians...in my opinion, those are the things we should fear. loved ones not receiving salvation. that is something worth fearing. at the same time, i still have to believe in the power of the transforming grace of Christ and that He is still very much in control of any and all situations.

let us keep in mind that God loves His people. He hears us when we cry out to Him, and He has made us a promise that should wipe away any fear on this earth that threatens us. thank you Lord!

"be still and know that I am God." psalm 46:10

peace and love