My heartbeat jolted me from my sleep – the crack of thunder that shook our house quickly turned my fight or flight mode. Recognizing that there was no imminent threat, my fear subsided, and I soon fell back asleep.
Fear can come in many forms: fear of attacks, injury, loss, etc. If there is one thing that has held me back over the years, it is fear. What has stopped me from pursuing a goal? Fear. What has stopped me from trying something new? Fear. What has prevented me from doing more kind acts? Fear.
Yes, fear has saved me from many pains, heartaches, and trips to the emergency room, but giving in to it has also robbed me of many opportunities to show love and kindness.
When you make people, achievements, and yourself your primary authority in life, you will succumb to fear. Where you place your fear is where you place your faith. I do not ask people over for dinner because I fear they will reject the offer; I did not try a new idea because of the fear of what people might say.
People are not all-powerful, achievements only last for a moment, and things breakdown and get tossed in the trash. People, achievements, and things are what we often try to find our identity and self-worth in, but all fade away and never bring us to a permanent place of rest and happiness.
When your fear is appropriately placed, you will start overcoming the fears of this world. Matthew 10:28 says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Jesus states we should fear God above all lease, for His judgment is eternal.
Provers 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Correctly placing our fear in the Lord, we begin to put people and things in their proper place. Understanding the fear of the Lord means we know who is ultimately in control. God sits on the throne, not man, not earthly treasures.
Psalm 147:11 says, “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” To fear the Lord brings delight to the God of the universe. What better thing can His creation do then to bring delight to the creator? What joy does a father get from his children when they do good deeds?
By placing your fear in the Lord, you are placing your trust in God. You are not ruled by the world, but by the One who created the world. Through this fear, we are given the greatest gift of all: the love of the Father.
I pray that we may all fear God more and fear man less.
