(I wrote this for a bible study at the beginning of the month, and I thought you might enjoy it!)
WhenI was twelve years old, a hawk flew through my bedroom window.
Its
beak broke glass and sent it flying everywhere.
beak broke glass and sent it flying everywhere.
When
my uncle got it out, he told us that if the hawk had come in at night instead
of during the day, then I would be dead.
my uncle got it out, he told us that if the hawk had come in at night instead
of during the day, then I would be dead.
My
bed was where the hawk had landed, and if I had been there, its talons would
have ripped open my neck.
bed was where the hawk had landed, and if I had been there, its talons would
have ripped open my neck.
I
had nightmares for weeks afterward about that crazy hawk, and we had to step
carefully for months afterward going into my room so we didn’t get a piece of
glass in our feet.
had nightmares for weeks afterward about that crazy hawk, and we had to step
carefully for months afterward going into my room so we didn’t get a piece of
glass in our feet.
Eventually
the nightmares stopped, and the glass pieces disappeared, but I have never forgotten how much that hawk
frightened me.
the nightmares stopped, and the glass pieces disappeared, but I have never forgotten how much that hawk
frightened me.
We
all have things we fear – some people have longer lists than others, and some
fears seem to make more sense than others, but we all have them.
all have things we fear – some people have longer lists than others, and some
fears seem to make more sense than others, but we all have them.
So
what do we do about it?
what do we do about it?
Or,
more importantly, what does the Bible say about it?
more importantly, what does the Bible say about it?
King
David in Psalm 27 says this:
David in Psalm 27 says this:
“The Lord is my
light and my salvation;
light and my salvation;
Whom shall I
fear?
fear?
The Lord is the
strength of my life;
strength of my life;
Of whom shall I
be afraid?
be afraid?
When the wicked
came against me,
came against me,
To eat up my
flesh,
flesh,
My enemies and
my foes,
my foes,
They stumbled
and fell.
and fell.
Though an army
may encamp against me,
may encamp against me,
My heart shall
not fear;
not fear;
Though war may
rise against me,
rise against me,
In this I will
be confidence.
be confidence.
One thing I have
desired of the Lord,
desired of the Lord,
That will I
seek;
seek;
That I may dwell
in the house of the Lord
in the house of the Lord
All the days of
my life,
my life,
To behold the
beauty of the Lord,
beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire
in His temple.
in His temple.
For in the time
of trouble
of trouble
He shall hide me
in His pavilion;
in His pavilion;
In the secret
place of His tabernacle
place of His tabernacle
He shall hide
me;
me;
He shall set me
high upon a rock.”*
high upon a rock.”*
He
puts his complete faith and trust in God to keep him safe, and just because he
(David) asked God to do it.
puts his complete faith and trust in God to keep him safe, and just because he
(David) asked God to do it.
And
1 John 4:18 says: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear,
because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in
love.”*
1 John 4:18 says: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear,
because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in
love.”*
Is
there any room for fear in our hearts, then?
there any room for fear in our hearts, then?
If
we are in God, and God in us, should we be afraid of anything?
we are in God, and God in us, should we be afraid of anything?
No,
but because we are human, and in the process of being perfected, it still has a
way of creeping back into our lives – whether we want it to or not.
but because we are human, and in the process of being perfected, it still has a
way of creeping back into our lives – whether we want it to or not.
Before
we get too discouraged, let’s hear some words of encouragement.
we get too discouraged, let’s hear some words of encouragement.
2
Timothy 1:7 says “For
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound
mind.”*
Timothy 1:7 says “For
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound
mind.”*
God
has given us power, love, and a sound mind.
has given us power, love, and a sound mind.
Remember
that.
that.
Tell
yourself that truth every time you feel like fear is trying to overtake you
again.
yourself that truth every time you feel like fear is trying to overtake you
again.
And
Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord
shall be safe.”*
Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord
shall be safe.”*
Not
only do we have power, love, and a sound mind, but the promise of the Lord to
keep those who trust in Him safe.
only do we have power, love, and a sound mind, but the promise of the Lord to
keep those who trust in Him safe.
And
when we see someone struggling with fear, we need to encourage them.
when we see someone struggling with fear, we need to encourage them.
Isaiah
35:4 says, “Say
to those who are faint-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will
come with vengeance. With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”*
35:4 says, “Say
to those who are faint-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will
come with vengeance. With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”*
We
are brothers and sisters – a family – and we are going through this life
together.
are brothers and sisters – a family – and we are going through this life
together.
When
you or I see someone who is allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by fear,
remind them of God’s promise to keep them safe and to save them.
you or I see someone who is allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by fear,
remind them of God’s promise to keep them safe and to save them.
Encourage
them to take their fears to God.
them to take their fears to God.
Ultimately,
He is the only one we should be turning to for help.
He is the only one we should be turning to for help.
Remember
– God has promised to keep us safe.
– God has promised to keep us safe.
His
perfect love is in each of us, which leaves no room for fear.
perfect love is in each of us, which leaves no room for fear.
We
have been given power, love, and a sound mind.
have been given power, love, and a sound mind.
Lastly,
when we see a brother or sister who has fear, we need to remind them all these
things.
when we see a brother or sister who has fear, we need to remind them all these
things.
*all verses from NKJV translation.
