Yet Another Year of Choices
By Barbara Dahlgren
My last blog explored the subject of fear from a spiritual perspective. We discussed having a healthy fear of God and learned that fearing God in the right way can bring benefits. God doesn’t want us to unnecessarily tremble in His sight but He does want us to respect His power, acknowledge His holiness, worship His majesty, and reverence Him in our lives. This is not a bad thing. As we build a relationship with the living God, we realize He is a God of love and only wants the best for us.
Fear is a good thing, when kept in perspective. There is a healthy kind of fear that comes with wisdom or heeding caution. It keeps us from jumping off the side of a building thinking we can fly, picking up a rattlesnake thinking we won’t get bit, or driving 150 miles per hour thinking we won’t have an accident.
However, some fears paralyze us, keep us from doing what we should or could do, and prevent us from living a fuller, richer life, which is what God wants for us. Fear is an emotion we humans struggle with, so it’s only natural God would speak of it so often in the Bible – encouraging us not to fall into its grip. We should control our fears, not let our fears control us. Of course this is easier said than done.
Psalm 34:4 tells us that God delivers us from our fear, when we seek Him. Seeking God is a key to overcoming fear. However, this seeking of God is not just so He will deliver us from our trials or fears. We seek God so we can place our trust and faith in Him. It’s this faith and trust in God that calms our anxious hearts.
God has to continually remind us that He is with us.
God commanded Joshua to “be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)
David wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” (Psalm 23:4-6)
God told Isaiah, “Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Sometimes we forget that God is with us. Wherever we go, God is with us.
Consider this… Whatever we encounter, God is with us. We lose sight of this when our focus turns from God to ourselves.
God is all powerful, omnipotent, sovereign, and in control. We should be extolling God at all times. (Psalm 34:1) Our praise for Him should be continually on our lips. Our goal should be to keep ourselves in a perpetual relationship with God – rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and thanking God in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
If we do this, we won’t have to worry about overcoming fear. God will do it for us!
One final thought… I think there is some wisdom in this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: “Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.”
