Fear can be crippling in all of its many forms.
("Fear gripped me, and my bones trembled." -Job 4:14)
I am the first to fear when we are in a crowd of people it seems. I find my mind wandering off without others. I become paranoid and worry when I should have peace. I have been in prayer that the Lord would strengthen me in these moments of weakness and doubt.
The Bible says that to fear the Lord is wisdom, and those who fear the Lord will have all they need (Psalm 34:9) We can live in peace without fear that brings idleness and worry. Fear can harm you or help you. That's what I feel the Lord is telling me today. I can't sleep. My mind is consumed by the thoughts and fears that are out of my control. He is the only one that can shoulder the things I fear. I know I can give it all to him and trust him to keep me through it all.
I find myself thinking about tomorrow and what those days will hold. I worry about health and sickness, my children, my spouse, and our future in general. I worry about where we will stay and what we will eat. All of my needs are met, so why does my mind drift to fear when I should have peace. In Proverbs 1:33 it says, "Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children." In my heart I am confident. I fear the Lord and I reverence him with fear and trembling and I know him as the God of the universe, but also as a father that loves me and wants nothing but good for me. It is because I fear him...that I am able to say I trust him.
The Lord's plan for me as a mother and a wife is to be able to laugh at days to come and know in my heart of hearts that he has it all in the palm of his hand. "But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love." (Psalm 33:18) His love IS unfailing. UNFAILING! His love does not fail. We live in a world where true love is a gift rarely given and seldom realized and appreciated. I appreciate his love for me. I realize this gift isn't cheap. Talk is cheap. We hear a lot of cheap talk...empty words thrown at us that disappear before we can apply them to our hearts. But his love is unfailing...it never fails...it stays...it does not leave...it reaches you...it penetrates deep to fill the void you can't seem to put a finger on. "Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead." (Ecclesiastes 5:7)
I believe that the Lord wants us all to realize the fruit of fear. To fear the Lord is wisdom. When we fear the Lord and we are afraid to do wrong...it brings honor and his will is fulfilled in our hearts and our lives. "Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble." (Proverbs 28:14) I want my life to be headed in the right direction at all times. I want my every breath to glorify him in all of his glory and show others who he is by allowing his unfailing love to penetrate my inner being and then seep back out through my pores!
Our world is so lost and they look for the truth from every resource except the one truth that can save them from their ignorance and sin. "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7) If I know I am ignorant about something, then I want to become educated about it. If a gift is given then I want to receive it with gratitude and make sure I put it to good use. Wisdom is the greatest treasure you can have while here on earth. The wisdom to discern between right and wrong and the wisdom to make decisions that bring fruit into your life.
We live in a selfish society. Everyone thinks their way is better, and they believe they have it all figured out, but there is always more wisdom to obtain and more knowledge to receive. To turn away from evil and fear the Lord is the most rewarding choice you will ever make. Ironically, it's the hardest thing about being human. We are faced with temptations every day. Our choice to turn away from sin is the key to living a life of purity. "Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil (sin). "(Proverbs 3:7)
Purity should be our main goal. "Fear of the Lord lengthens one's life, but the years of the wicked are cut short." (Proverbs 10:27) No one wants to sit down and read all of this... but this is what our lives are missing. This is why we are surrounded by things that make our Heavenly Father want to spit us out of his mouth. "But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!" (Revelation 3:16)
Our world is full of sickness, disease, and such a putrid smell of sin that he detests. I don't want any part of it. "All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed." (John 3:20) I want to live in the light as he is in the light. He knows the intents of our hearts.
We all fall short. We all worry when we should be content and full of peace. But fear is not of God. The enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7)
When we fear him and live our lives according to his word, we can trust him to provide and come through for us in our weakness. "He grants the desires of those who fear him, he hears their cries for help and rescues them." (Psalm 145:19)
When we fear the Lord, we find ourselves in a place of power beyond ourselves through the Holy Spirit, success through humility that we are not God, and a love that is contagious because we feel his presence in our daily lives. We are held accountable for all of our actions...I want to only see the Lord and know that he is good and realize everyday his plans are only good for me. The enemy wants us distracted and all but crippled in order for our working hands and our loving hearts to be tied in knots and unable to do what the Lord has planned for us all along.
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