“Surely (or only) goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.” Psalm 23:6 (AMPL)
Fear is such a encompassing and sometimes very subtle emotion. Sometimes you are not even aware of its power, until you feel threatened. It tends to make you feel as if you will lose something, or you have to fiercely protect something. Many times fear comes as a suggestion. It threatens to take away things you love, it may be things very valuable unto you, or the fear will encompass, overwhelm and oppress your heart and thoughts. It often feels like intimidation. Fear can overtake you to the point you think and believe irrationally. It can cause you to make really bad decisions, because they are fear-based. Fear-based decision-making can wreck your life. They cause you to be stagnant and immobilized. They cause you to feel isolated and alone – even when you aren’t. Fear LIES to you. Fear can make you feel inept – (like you can’t do anything right) and numb and hollow inside. I know, I was there.Usually wherever fear is there is
major indecision. You may be afraid to make decisions for fear of the outcome. Fear doesn’t have to get the best of your thoughts. Keeping your thoughts clear can be a challenge, though so regular meditation in the Word of God helps wash away the residue of negativity. The Word of God comforts my heart. There have been times I purposely spent time in his Word God and left feeling His presence surround me with His gracious, unconditional love.Too many people serve a fear-based God. They believe that if they go to God, He will judge them. Yes, God does judge…. He mainly judges evil, but God’s
greatest trait is NOT judgement… it’s LOVE. And His love is the greatest. God LOVES when we come to him in humility and we say:
“Lord, I messed up.” In fact, He will sweep down and recognizes that you love Him enough to come to Him for help and aid and because you are His child, and He will answer.
True heart repentance can rid fear. God loves when you become transparent before him and reach for His love. I recall a time when I was at a silent retreat and I was so afraid, because I was staying overnight in a dwelling outside by myself. I was so afraid, becuase I had never done anything like this before and very tremendously vulnerable. Once I submitted to God and released my fears, I was at peace. But I had to address some internal fears in my heart, first.The Bible says :
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 Another version says : (The Word)
( judges) our innermost thoughts, (purposes) and desires
(of the heart). If the Word of God brings this kind of rest to our souls and to our heart directly, then why do we neglect it as much as we do?
(I am guilty!) I know when I need perspective and that’s when my soul reaches out for
Yahweh Roi- The Lord Who Shepherds – protects and guides me. The One who feeds me and leads me beside still waters of rest.If God’s Word can change my attitude, my heart, my desires and my purpose, then I need to schedule an appointment for God to be on my agenda on a regular basis!
I can take one passage of scripture, like Psalm 23 - find rest in it- and use it to defeat fear in my life. I read and meditate upon it until all fear goes away and I feel peace again.
This question was asked of me today in my devotional:
” How would your experience of daily life change if you really believed that goodness and kindness would follow you all the days of your life?
My thoughts were immediate: “ I would have great expectation from the Lord and I wouldn’t live in fear. I would expect good to show up, and even when it didn’t, I would still trust God to make it good in the end.”
What about you?
Where is your heart resting today?
On other’s expectations? On the money in your bank account? It is solely on your plans hopes and dreams for your future?
Or… is it in God’s plan for your life as He intimately reveals it to you as you spend time with Him?
“Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. Your rod and your staff give me courage.” Psalm 23:4 (GWT)