Fear is a funny thing. At times, it can teach, instruct and prepare us to meet a challenge head on. But for many of us, fear can also be crippling, intimidating, and destructive. There's such a fine line between which of these two camps we fall into at any given moment. Furthermore, when we fall into the latter, we also find ourselves frightened to even tell others "I'm afraid." Why does it seem that we're so easily willing to grasp onto fear with both hands, but try to pretend we're not afraid in front of others? Perhaps we find it a point of weakness that we're not willing to admit that we're prone to. I think this is my case more often that not. I feel like I should be "stronger than this", or that being afraid is being "weak-minded".
Our fear stems from thoughts and ideas on circumstances or situations that are out of our control. It truly is fear of the unknown. It's a constant internal haunting that drains and debilitates nearly every part of life. ...and it's infectious. Spreading first internally, it takes control mentally as we constantly ponder on the thing we're afraid of. Every thought is infiltrated and everything revolves around how afraid we are. It quickly moves from mental impairment to emotional impairment and doesn't take long to lose any sense of joy or peace that we once had. It's emotionally destructive on every level, and when left unchecked it manifests physically as our altered mood affects our behaviors which in turn affects our relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Ultimately spreading and spilling onto others, it's a fast-moving virus whose only goal is to replicate and destroy. But there's something I know...
If we're ever going to have any hope of living a life free of constant fear, we have to understand that we actually are right to assess that, ultimately, our circumstances are out of our control. Sure, we can have some say over where we go and what we do, but those aren't typically the things we fear. We fear things like, uncertain health conditions of ourselves or loved ones...uncertain financial conditions...uncertain relationships...when and how will we die? Monstrous ideas that we spend most of our lives trying not to think about at all, but then something happens that forces us to face these ideas and contemplate our future. And when it comes to these things, we certainly try to play the odds, take precautions, and leverage ourselves to be in the best positions, but truly we have little, to no, control whatsoever of these major life hurdles.
BUT! There is someone who does have complete control over every aspect of our lives. You see, we're never promised that everything we go through will be good...but we are promised that (for those trusting in Christ Jesus) that everything we go through will be used to work for our good. God has also instructed us time and time again throughout His Word to "fear not". He also instructs us not to worry about the things of tomorrow that are out of our control, and that by seeking Him first, He will handle the details in making sure our provisions are met. He is real, present, and interested in making sure that we have no need to lean on the broken crutch of fear!
Is there fear in your life today that has you wrapped up and longing for a better tomorrow? Release that grip on fear, give it ALL over to God, trust Him, test Him and try Him. He will never leave your nor forsake you! Create a regular prayer habit of saying:
"God, you promised that I don't have to worry about tomorrow. You promised that if I seek you first, you will take care of today. You are the only One with the power and ability to see it through. I trust you! Give me the courage to face today's challenges, to work through my fear, and to share your Love with someone else. In Jesus name! Amen (so be it!)"