August 30, 2022

What does one do, where does one turn to, when “fear” assaults our existence or the significance of the circumstances around us…?

What is fear… As a noun, the dictionary says:

“an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.”

It is said that fear is the antithesis of faith. It is corrosive in its effects, even deadly. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 tim 1:7 nkjv

Paul also said to the Philippians: “and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.” phil 1:28 nkjv

These principles are the great antidotes to the fears that rob us of our strength and sometimes knock us down to defeat… The Psalmist gives us a very important concept of a benefit of the invisible hand of Yahweh concerning our “natural” human emotion and “fight or flight” decision process when something or someone brings a condition of “fear” against us.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.” Ps 27:13 nkjv

In the context of Psalms 27, we see the Psalmist recording these words:

“When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.” ps 27:2-3 nkjv

The Bible tells us the “Just shall live by faith,” and that “without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Sometimes, I think, we face “fear” issues as part of a test of what is in our hearts, which Yahweh clearly said, such test can be His doings…

“Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.” ps 7:9 nkjv

“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” Deut 8:1-2 nkjv

I am not saying that every threatening attack or assault upon our tranquility and peace is a test from Yahweh… it could be an assault of the wicked one (perhaps even using those close to you), whatever it is, or wherever it comes from, it can have the same emotional “fight or flight” stimulus to cause you to have to decide how you will respond… hopefully, thoughtfully and wisely with your remembering the embedded Word of Yahweh deposited in your heart, which elicits the confidence of the Psalmist… not a knee-jerk reaction.

I will close with this marvelous promise from Yahweh’s Prophet Isaiah:

“You [Yahweh] will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” isa 26:3 nkjv

Shalom… John