fear is an interesting thing to me. when i read through the old testament especially, it feels like God is forever reminding his people, “fear not” or “do not be afraid”. those phrases or something similar are referenced over a hundred times.
some days it baffles me that the israelites would have any issue…i mean, they saw a sea parted, walls of water and walked through it on dry land. they saw water spew out of a rock in the middle of a dessert. they saw manna fall from the sky every day so they would have their food when there was none. how do you forget that?
i grew up with fear. i lived and breathed it. i wanted to be known but was so afraid if someone did and didn’t like me. i wanted to be adventurous but was too chicken to be. i wanted this or that but was too afraid to do anything about it. thankfully i have been rescued from the control of fear.
every so often, however, i find myself back there. fearful of something that has never yet happened. even if it seems to be a pattern in my life before, i fear it now. we as a human race are fearful often for things that God is so gently trying to remind us…”don’t be afraid”. He’s got it. even when we think we somehow have it.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD! Psalm 31:24
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
enough said.
