FEAR DOESN'T HAVE TO BE YOUR MASTER

We don’t have to ask “what if this happens?” Or “What if she doesn’t do what she promised?” It serves no purpose to ask ourselves the what ifs. Most of them don’t happen. With God’s help and wisdom, we can learn to give up the control of our fears and worries. With Him, all things are possible.

Eternal Perspectives          by Sally Bair

Fear

When I was a kid, I had many fears. Some were typical, such as fear of the dark, the bogey man and strangers. One was atypical—the fear of feathers—which began from a scary event in my childhood and became a phobia. Like most phobias, it has become such a comfortable part of my life that I don’t want to change.

Most of us have fears. Many are so afraid of war and nuclear threats that they hoard water and food for perceived bad times ahead. Because of the danger of falling, others fear taking a shower or going outside in the winter. Still others are afraid of people so they stay at home, trapped in their distrust.

Of course, we know how wise it is to take precautions about certain things. But to allow our fears, worries, anxieties or phobias to control our lives is not only unwise, it is unhealthy. A study has proven that 85% of our worries never happen. In the study, of the 15% that did happen, 79% of the subjects discovered either they could handle their difficulties better than expected, or they learned a worthwhile lesson. The study concludes with the astounding fact that 97 % of our worries are not much more than a fearful mind punishing us with exaggeration and misperceptions.

Other studies have shown that worry causes shrinking brain mass which can lower IQs. It also can lead to heart disease, cancer, premature aging and more. But scientists and health professionals have come up with ways to lessen, or even eliminate, our fears and worries.

God offers ways, too. In fact, His Word, the Bible, contains the word “fear” or its equivalent 365 times. That’s a year’s worth of verses to help us overcome our worries and fears. One typical verse is recorded in the book of Joshua. When Moses died and Joshua took over the daunting role of leading the Israelites to God’s Promised Land, God knew how frightened the new leader was. “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

God understands our fears. He would rather have us rely on His strength than walk in our fears, try to talk our way out of them or follow someone else’s advice.

Lord, thank You for loving us so much that You offer Your strength and Your solutions for overcoming our fears. Keep our eyes focused on You and Your Word so we can remain calm, trusting and in Your peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.