Fear is a mighty force to deal with. It is strong, scary, overwhelming and even physical. Fear hits down in the middle of me, a place I can’t grab or hold together with my hands. It comes over in waves and I become still, in shock, waiting for it to subside but it doesn’t. Fear is my enemy.
And fear causes my heart to race and blood pressure to rise. I get exhausted easily like I’ve run 20 miles before breakfast. Fear makes me shy away from people or commitments. It makes me wary and cautious where I used to be open and welcoming. It strikes at the very heart of who I am. Fear is my enemy.
Fear is My Enemy
When I face my fear, with trembling hands holding tightly to God’s hand, I realize that the worst that can happen is that I will be separated from God forever. And holding his hand I finally realize that won’t happen. It won’t happen because he will not leave me, ever.
So, if I lose my job, he will stay with me. If I lose my health, he will stand near me. No matter what I go through, or what I face, he is there, always.
I was recently reminded of a song (Mighty to Save by Hillsong). So take me as you find me, take all my fears and failures. Fill my life again, please God, and fill me all over again. For you are mighty to save.
From 2 Corinthians Paul says that He made his light shine in my heart to give me the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. And this light, this treasure, is in me to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from me. His power is shown to the world through my weakness.
God’s power is shown to the world through my weakness.
Psalm 86
Help your servant—I’m depending on you! You’re my God; have mercy on me. I count on you from morning to night. Give your servant a happy life; I put myself in your hands!
You’re well known as good and forgiving, bighearted to all who ask for help. Pay attention, GOD, to my prayer; bend down and listen to my cry for help. Every time I’m in trouble I call on you, confident that you’ll answer.
Train me, GOD, to walk straight; then I’ll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, dear Lord; I’ve never kept secret what you’re up to. You’ve always been great toward me—what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster!
But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child! Make a show of how much you love me so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, As you, GOD, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet.
Show me, Lord, how You provide me with what I need. Help me to trust in You when I am fearful.
