God Tells Us To "Fear Not!"

"Right now, two-thirds of Americans are suffering from "Fear-bola," according to a new Washington Post poll. It's a hyper-contagious disease that affects the brain, making sufferers fear a widespread Ebola outbreak in the United States. Fear-bola is an airborne disease that spreads through conversation, entering your brain through your ears. Fear-bola is so contagious that some victims have contracted it by simply seeing images and videos about Ebola."  -Robbins, Mel. "'Fear-bola' Hits Epidemic Proportions." Ebola: Don't Catch Irrational Fear. CNN, 14 Oct. 2014. Web.

Yes, we've all experienced fear at one time, or another. As a matter of fact, there are millions of people living in the bondage of some type of fear as we speak. For example, some fear declining health. Some are fearful about their financial situation. Some fear job loss, or that their friends will leave them. Still, others fear growing older, just to name a few.

You see, the bad thing about fear is that it brings on anguish, and distorts our vision. When we're fearful, we don't see the provision of the Lord. Additionally, problems can look like mountains in front of us. So, instead of calling upon the Lord, there's a tendency for some people to hide, or run away from an unpleasant situation. But, how does that help the situation? It really doesn't.

Rather, we must learn to praise God even when things are looking hopeless. I realize that this isn't always easy to do, but by faith we can praise God even when everything is crumbling around us. In fact, on many "fearful" occasions I've been encouraged with the testimony of the prophet Habakkuk in Habakkuk 3:17-18. This great man of God didn't become accusatory just because things were going downhill; he still rejoiced in the Lord.

I am reminded of the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 15:1: "After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Yes, this is God's promise: "Fear not." From that point on, God has repeatedly said to His children, "Fear not, don't be afraid."

We mustn't forget that God is all-loving, and filled with compassion and mercy for us. However, He still desires for us to fear Him, and for good reason. God isn't telling us to be afraid of Him, or avoid Him like we’d keep our distance from something dangerous. Nothing could be further from the truth.

On the contrary, He asks us to remember who He is: the all-powerful Creator of the universe. Surely, He has the power and the desire to save us, but He also has power to judge and punish if we choose to ignore His plan for our lives. Friends, the right choice is to respect Him for who He is. We should also respond by walking with Him all the days of our lives. That’s a decision we should never have to fear.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 5:7; 1 John 4:18; Isaiah 41:10; Proverbs 1:7

Prayer: Dear Lord, I feel as I ask you for too much, but you're the only one I know who truly listens to me. Please grant me comfort and never leave me. Amen

May God bless you!

Amy Lynn