Good Morning All!!
Genesis 15:1; “After these things the
word of the Lord came to Abram
in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very
great.”
Fear is one of the most intense emotions that humans experience. Fear causes increased heart rate and
breathing rate. Fear causes us to not
think clearly and can often paralyze us into non-action. I can remember times when fear grabbed
me. Looking back, a couple of those
times are laughable but at the time; not so much. I remember one time when I was about 12 or 13;
I was watching a Vincent Price horror movie.
Even though I knew better and knew it was only play acting on TV, I
slept (sort of) with the light on, covers pulled up tight. Another time, when I was in high school, I
was reading a book about the Manson murders.
My parents went visiting the neighbors for the evening and I was
intently reading the book. It was
completely fascinating. I was reading a
part that told of how sometimes the Manson family would sneak into houses and
move things around while the families slept.
Then it told how they would call some random phone numbers. Just as I got to that part, the phone
rang. I threw the book to the ceiling
and just stared at the phone for about three rings. I was scared.
Neither of these two events make and rational sense but fear rarely
makes sense. That is why it is one of
the devil’s favorite tools. He can twist
it whichever way he wants and leads us around like we have a ring through our
nose and he is pulling the lead rope.
Fear demoralizes, can cause disbelief, be destructive and harm our
relationship with God because it can cause us to doubt God’s love and power.
Yet, as a Christian, we need to see the difference between fear and
concern. As a parent, I am concerned
about my children and grandchildren. As
a child, I am concerned about my parents.
As a pastor, I am concerned about the members of our congregations. There is nothing wrong with being concerned
so how do we tell the difference?
Concern will motivate you to action.
Concern tends to increase productivity and focus the mind and seeks
resolution and a positive change for the future. Concern looks to God for direction and trust
knowing that all things work to the good for those whom he loves.
Fear will paralyze our action, decrease our productivity, cause us to
lose our focus as our thoughts scatter and go with no direction or rational
consideration. Fear sees no answer and
sees the future as the place where fears materialize into reality. Fear takes us away from God. An example would be of a young parent who
lives near a lake and has a small child.
Concern will lead this parent to seek out a place to have the child take
swimming lessons. Fear will drive the
parent to never let the child near the water and punish them if they ever go near
it.
Don’t let the devil drive you to fear.
Trust in God’s grace to heal your concerns.
Father,
in your arms I have no fears. Keep me
close to you. Keep my eyes, my heart and
my thoughts on things above. Keep me
focused on Jesus and his unfailing love and mercy. Be with those who are living on fear. Calm their hearts and minds. Give them your holy rest. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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