Fear

The Bible tells us, The fear of man brings a snare,( Proverbs 29:25). and a big snare it is. So big, this snare, it invades a whole life from beginning to end. Call it what you may; paranoia, phobia, insecurity, or dread; fear grips a lot of people and sticks them into corners they hate, but can’t escape. Man, scares man the most — the unpredictability, the instability, the irrationality, the stupidity, the impulsivity; need I continue? Me scares me too. Is there help?

Why do men build up their bodies, carry a weapon, put a tattoo on their arm or form a gang? They do it because in the world of fear, strength and advantage mean everything. Fighting is often fear driven. So are a lot of sports. As a boy I played football and became known in our circles as an illusive runner. My secret? I was afraid to get hurt, so I learned to evade contact.

Many people live life that way. They simply evade contact. They hide and can’t be found — afraid. Afraid of being found out a coward or too hassled to make excuses for lack of intestinal fortitude. Fear controls these folks, and their terror finds its roots in dying dread

The other ones are the intimidators. These try to conquer fear, manipulating it to their own advantage, and feel quite above the faint-hearted. These have learned how to stick their fear, but I must say, it scares the hell out of me when I meet one of these, looking eternity in the face, and not fearing enough to flee to God for safety.

Mankind, created by God, was to live forever. Why do we have to die? This question highlights the pith and pomp of the human dilemma, and here, we must begin, perchance a solution exists. God has invited man into His redemptive ring, and has promised much. If the removal of all fear is not included in that ring, was the redemption complete? Not really.

O God, yes Our God,” tasted death for every man, for all those who all their life feared death”, it says so in (Hebrews 2:14). In (2 Timothy 1:10) “He abolished death and brought life and immortality to light.” God knows what plagues man so His redemption was precise! Jesus told some people one day; “He that liveth and believeth on me shall never die, believeth thou this?”(John11:26.) People, people!, Stop fearing that these words are too good to be true. Your fear must stop here! It  is killing your faith.

Here is how it works. First, lets simply follow God’s prescription for experiencing His redemption. Believe, believe and thirdly believe. God said “He that believeth in Me SHALL NEVER DIE.” He said, “O death, where is thy sting, O grave where is thy victory?”(1Corinthians 15:55). What a lie to think that God controls people by fear. No, the devil does that. God came here and whupped death strait up and when I, like many can, use The Spirit’s gift of intestinal fortitude to take God at His Word, fear goes back to hell where it belongs.

Resurrection is Huge. Why? Because it means death has no permanence, it has no power, it has lost its swagger and intimidation. We simply leave this earth and go right on to our forever existence with God. (See 2 Corinthians 5:8) This is what redemption means, this is what salvation is. God didn’t come to die to start a religion, but to give us a life. Lay hold on that life by believing as a child. 

Lastly, God’s perfect love casts out all fear,(1Peter 4:8)  What is this perfect love? Well,” herein is the love of God made perfect …  because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1John 4:17). Folks and friends, did you know that God sees us believers inside of His Son, and His love, eternal and forever insulating Christ and us, is the same love for both? He is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24) and is able to save us to the uttermost. (Hebrews 7:25).

Well, you might honestly say “I’m too afraid to believe that.” I am here to tell you that your hesitation is your fear, and you may have redemption, but where is your soul’s healing? Thankfully, If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2Tim2:13.) Yes, God loves the backslider and waits to be gracious to all of us.

O my friends, hold on to fear if you must, but fear will not go away by itself. Fear will manifest in the place of love when we really need it for family and lost people. Fear will limit faith and stifle grace.  Please, let God’s love energize your faith into believing rest, and begin to  rest with God in his love (Zephaniah 3:17) He is waiting for you.