Fear This

If I let myself, I could fear a lot of things.

I could fear the earthquakes that shake my apartment, the loss of friendships, the loss of loved ones, rejection, mice... lots of things.

I received an email from a friend who expressed that lately she has been feeling a bit paralyzed by the fear that is in her heart. There are some legitimate things to fear, I think... things that make us more aware of danger. Like girls walking alone in dark and scary places... walking across a busy street, kind of fears. These are good fears or "awares" to have.

But the fear that robs us of our daily life and daily joys comes from satan. i think that any fear that makes us dread our surroundings and want to crawl back into bed is a fear that is not from God.

I read Isaiah 7-8 about the possibility of another nation attacking Israel and God says this, "Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread..."

In Isaiah 7 the promise of a Messiah is mentioned... and his name shall be "Immanuel" or God with us.

STOP! STOP! Think about that. The God we love, serve, and live for is called Immanuel or God with us. In all areas of my life, in every moment of ever day, I have a God who loves me and is with me. A God who does not want me to fear anything BUT Him.

Matthew 10:28 *And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rahter fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.*

2 Timothy 1:7 *for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control*

1 John 4:18-19 *There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love becase he first loved us.*

And my new personal favorite... a quote from 5 Aspects: *When we fear the LORD he becomes our Refuge because fearing Him is the one fear that casts out all others.*

Proverbs 18:10 *The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.*

I remember hearing a quote once from Gods and Generals that one of the Generals said whether in bed or in battle, he knew his death had been ordained by God. Imagine having that confidence in God's plans. Whether I die today in a battle or 5o years from now in my sleep, it has been given to me as my time to die from God.

So as for today, I will pray for my friends, pray for my possible fears and decid to start anew. Today I choose that nothing deserves my fear or attention like my God. He holds all things in His hand. Nothing is too great or too mighty for Him.

God's name alone is a refuge where we can be saved... when satan threatens to make me despair, paralyze me with his fear... I will call on the One who is with me... Immanuel...

and then I'll use my scary face.