I used the word “scared” versus fear, because this is what
children say when they are frightened or afraid. My grandson will tell you in a
New York minute, how scared he is when the thunder and lightning roll in. I
grew up with a night light and as time went on, I became afraid (or scared) of
the dark. Therefore I made sure my girls didn’t have night lights and grew up
not being afraid of the dark. It is the same with our heavenly Father—He
doesn’t want us to live a life where we are sacred and afraid all the time.
We see all through the Bible, “Fear not!” And we are also
told that a spirit of fear does not come from God, but I used the word,
“scared” because it sort of sums up all the different emotions we experience
when fear sets in.
If we were all sitting in a room and I posed the question,
“How many of you have ever been scared or afraid of something?” I’m positive
every hand would go up. Why? Because it is something we learn and take on as
children—scared of what our parents will do to us, afraid of bullies, sibs,
being teased and made fun of. Yes, intimidation is something most of us experience
before we even start school, if no other than by an older sib or unjust adult.
Take a minute to reread the definition of “Scared” one more
time, and think about how being afraid has affected your life.
Is there someone or something that is intimidating you? Do
you find yourself in a constant state of be nervous or panicky about things?
Are you terrified of the unknown? Is your mortgage past due? Are the doctor’s
reports continually negative? Have your children walked away from God? Are the
bill collectors ringing your phone off the hook? Is it of great concern to you
that your biological clock is ticking down? Is your spouse getting older or is ill
and you’re terrified what the future might hold without them? Are you like me,
past 60, single and needing more of an income and a new place to live? Is that
scary for you?
Suppose being afraid was a deadly virus like Ebola which
kills and devastates and there is only one antidote that would save your life
or that of a loved one, and you had to give up all your worldly possessions and
that which you hold dear to you in order to get it. Would you? Of course you
would! For one, death would most likely be imminent without it. And for the
most part—most of us would rather have good health and life versus stuff when
you really get to the nitty-gritty of it all.
Well, sisters…there is only one antidote for the killer “Fear”!
It is called, “Trust God!”
Yup, it is that simple.
Just as we would give up everything and go through hell and
high water to get the antidote so we or the one we love could live, we should
be so serious about building up our faith and trust in God.
And how do we do that? By reading and studying our Bibles!
And then standing on what we have read, meditating on it until it becomes a
part of us and we become fearless!
Then when the bill collectors call you will not cringe,
counting the rings until they stop. No, you will pick up the phone and state
your case, whatever that might be. Looking for the favor of the Lord to
intervene! You won’t wait for the bank to call or start proceedings to
foreclose on your house, no; you will be proactive and call them to see what
can be worked out, while waiting upon the Lord.
Your heart will not be in your throat when you keep getting
the bad reports from the doctor. Instead the Word of God will rise up in you
and fear will flee.
My youngest daughter is a senior at a Christian college and
a RA (resident assistant), and this year she is over a section of campus
apartments. We had many long conversations this past summer about her
apprehension of people drinking and having sex. (The college has a strict
policy about such things.) I constantly reassured her that since the Lord gave
her this position, He will make sure she will succeed and not to be afraid of
the unknown, because it is not unknown to Him.
A few days ago, another RA told her that there is an
apartment in her building that is planning on befriending her, so that they can
get away with having liquor in their room. Of course when she told me, we
laughed. For one, God was all up in the fact that she is being forewarned, and
second they must not have heard about her reputation as being a hard nose. Is
she? No, not really—she just follows the rules and that is something too many
of us don’t do today and we don’t seem to like those who do.
But my point here is…God has it covered! And the more we
believe this, the better we will sleep at night, and live more enjoyable days.
Am I implying that things will always turnout the way we
want them too? No, I’m not saying that because everyone doesn’t get their
healing on this side—but nonetheless we do receive it. And the bank might take
your house, and your spouse might pass away. And you could end up living in a
shelter. But being afraid and scared waiting for the other shoe to drop will
not change the outcome that God is going to allow, but it can make you sick and
life such a drag. In other words, it will kill hope and suck the beauty out of
your days.
Sisters, get into your Bibles and I’m not talking about your
little 10 minute devotional books and calling it a day. I’m talking about
reading, studying, praying, questioning, learning and building up your faith. It
is the only way we can stand and fear not!
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