What Are You Afraid Of?

What ARE you afraid of? Some are afraid of heights, some of small spaces, some even of spiders. Digging deeper still, some of us are afraid of not having enough money or food; and others of being left alone or losing a job. The list carries us as far as our worries will take us.

Whatever the fear, it can consume us and steal our joy. The Bible calls us not to fear, but rather to lay our needs in the hands of God (Luke12:22-34). Our LORD often reminds us not to fear; however fear is not always bad or wrong. Countless times the Bible DOES encourage us to fear one. . .God. Actually we are called to fear Him only! As we fear Him, we take to heart the attributes of who He is - i.e. His power, strength, love, holiness, and kingship. We recognize His power and greatness over us, His creation, and act according to them.

As we begin to comprehend the 'hugeness' of God, we can truly rejoice in how deep, wide, long, and high His love for us really is. The Psalms are overflowing with great promises that the LORD pours out to those who fear Him. He:

25:14 - CONFIDES in them
31:19 - has GOODNESS stored up for them
33:18 - has His EYES on them
34:7 - ENCAMPS around them
34:9 - causes them to LACK NOTHING
60:4 - raises up a BANNER OF PROTECTION over them
61:5 - gives them a HERITAGE
85:9 - brings SALVATION near them
103:11 - has LOVE for them higher than the heaven is above the earth
103:13 - has COMPASSION on them as a father has for his children
111:5 - PROVIDES them with food
111:10 - gives them WISDOM
115:13 - BLESSES them
128:1 - BLESSES their family
145:19 - FULFILLS their desires
147:11 - DELIGHTS in them

So bring before the LORD those fears that are not of Him and let Him transform those fears into the joy of fearing Him alone!