Fear Is No Fun

The Lord is my light and my
salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of
my life; of whom shall I
be afraid.
Psalm 27:1,2

One of our daughters had a dreaded fear of animals. She had a bad experience with a dog when she was between two and three years of age. If a gentle dog or cat even came near her, the fear registered with her immediately. She would register fear in the face, would often shake and then the tears would come. Her fear, although often unfounded most of the time, was very real to her. When there were opportunities to go inside a pen at a petting zoo, she chose to stay outside the fence. Sometimes if a sheep stuck it's nose through the fence where she was, she would at times touch the sheep with a finger, but then she was done with it. Someone once told me that my daughter's reaction to animals was all in her mind. Maybe, but no matter where the fear was, it was very real to her to the point of sheer panic. She's old enough to be beyond that. I smiled this summer as she and her family went horseback riding. There was a day we couldn't get her on a pony ride.

Fear is an emotion born out of dread, threat, impending danger, evil or pain. One's fear obviously can be a response to physical or emotional danger. Real or imagined, the body will usually react in one or more ways. A person stricken with fear may shake, cry, break into a sweat, develop a headache, or even throw up. Some folks stricken with fear have been known to faint.

No matter the age, gender, or nationality of a person, fear usually strikes at one time or another. It's almost a secret of sorts, but there are times when the best of Christians face times of fear. I have heard preachers say for more years than I can count that there are 365 “Fear nots” in Scripture. I would like just one of those preachers to furnish me with a list of them, but most, I think just copy what other preachers have said. I have been blessed by those “fear not's” that I have read and know God intends them for m encouragement.

Our fears as grown ups are perhaps different from those faced by our children or grand children, but fear is very real. Our fears, when they come, may not be of dogs, cats or even of thunder. One of the things we read about in these days is the bullying problem children go through in school or elsewhere. May I hasten to say that even adults face bullies. Adults may be able to handle the problem better, but such people can still cause adults to become very uncomfortable. Many adult fears stem from finances, family concerns, health issues, aging issues, and yes, death (loss of others or personal demise). But fear is fear that must be faced. As Christians, we are so blessed to have Someone who comes along side of us during fearful times.

I have dearly loved Psalm 27 for many years. It is such an uplifting and encouraging portion of Scripture. In the first two verses I have printed above, I see that the Lord is my light, my salvation and the strength of my life. Why do I need all of this special attention from my Lord? Verses 1 and 2 speak of fear and being afraid, thus my need for the Lord's looking out for me when no one else can.
The rest of Psalm 27 is also encouraging. For instance, verse 5 is such a blessing:

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His
pavilion; in the secret place of His
tabernacle He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.

Verse 3 also speaks with encouragement:

Though an army may encamp against
me, my heart shall not fear; though war
may rise against me, in this I will
be confident.

This Psalm closes with verse 14:

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage, and He
shall strengthen your heart: Wait, I say,
on the Lord!

No matter what we face, be it the fearful knowns or unknowns of our lives, our Father is as near as the breath we breathe. We must remember that nothing or no one can enter the arena of our lives unless those things or people first filter through His capable and loving fingers. He will strengthen us as we face our greatest bully...Satan himself. Our Father will grant us wisdom for the moment through His light and blessed presence.

Dear Father, I am sometimes filled with fear and ask Your forgiveness for not placing my faith fully in You. Thank You for Your every provision I need in facing whatever fears present themselves. I love you. In Jesus' precious name...Amen!