Overcoming Fear
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God"
Fear
ruled a man’s life for thirty-two years. Afraid of being caught for his
crimes, he hid at his sister’s farmhouse, going nowhere and visiting no
one, even missing his mother’s funeral. When he was sixty-four, he
learned that no charges had ever been filed against him. The man was
free to resume a normal life. Yes, the threat of punishment was real,
but he allowed the fear of it to control him.
Likewise, fear ruled the Israelites when the Philistines challenged them at the Valley of Elah. The threat was real. Their enemy Goliath was 9 feet 9 inches tall and his body armor alone weighed 125 pounds (1 Samuel 17:4–5). For forty days, every morning and evening, Goliath challenged the Israelite army to fight him. But no one dared come forward. No one until David visited the battle lines. He heard and saw the taunting, and volunteered to fight Goliath.
While everyone in the Israelite army thought Goliath was too big to fight, David the shepherd boy knew he wasn’t too big for God. He said, “the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (v. 47).
When we’re gripped by fear, let’s follow David’s example and fix our eyes on God to gain a right perspective of the problem. The threat may be real, but the One who is with us and for us is bigger than that which is against us.
Likewise, fear ruled the Israelites when the Philistines challenged them at the Valley of Elah. The threat was real. Their enemy Goliath was 9 feet 9 inches tall and his body armor alone weighed 125 pounds (1 Samuel 17:4–5). For forty days, every morning and evening, Goliath challenged the Israelite army to fight him. But no one dared come forward. No one until David visited the battle lines. He heard and saw the taunting, and volunteered to fight Goliath.
While everyone in the Israelite army thought Goliath was too big to fight, David the shepherd boy knew he wasn’t too big for God. He said, “the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (v. 47).
When we’re gripped by fear, let’s follow David’s example and fix our eyes on God to gain a right perspective of the problem. The threat may be real, but the One who is with us and for us is bigger than that which is against us.
Reflect & Pray
What giant battle are you facing that’s crippling you in fear? How can you intentionally fix your eyes on the living God?
Thank You, God, that You’re bigger than any other giant in my life. I trust You.
I truly don't think I have any "crippling fears" in my life. I am blessed! Trepidation, yes, but my constant prayer is, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner, and save me!" I am reminded that everything is in God's hands.
ReplyDeleteWow, this really struck me today. I struggle with fear when it comes to health. Sickness, I let the fear of it rule me and take my mind to other places. Sometimes it can be crippling if you let it take over, and you don't allow God to intervene and come beside you for comfort. I need to release my fear more, and not let it rule.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with a lot of things, but I am very grateful that fear doesn't tend to be one of them. I'm probably too pig headed, have too poor of a memory, or just don't have the time to be fearful! I try and say yes to performance opportunities when asked, because if I ever fear anything, it is messing up when I perform, which I totally realize is a wasted behavior.
ReplyDeleteI have worked through a lot in my personal life, fear being one of the things I have conquered. I used to be fearful of silly things, but it came down to a lot of reflection and sensitivity in knowing God is the ultimate caregiver and that worry and fear was of no help.
ReplyDelete