Printer
Friendly page - click here
Scared
and Ready to Run |
|
Article
by Tom Gilbert - August 2004
There are a lot of scary things in life. I’m
not referring just to “monsters under the bed and things that go
bump in the night”, although to a young child that can be truly
frightening. The very real acts of terrorism, continuing warfare around
the globe and a spate of recent natural disasters are enough to make
anyone want to pull the covers over their head.
What causes our fear? Almost always
it can be traced to our concern that we can’t
face up to something. It doesn’t have to be
a global catastrophe. More often it’s the
fear that grips us over sudden illness, a new job
or commitment in a personal relationship – the
list for each of us is lengthy.
|
Do Not Be
Afraid
It’s interesting that the Bible
records many instances of the Divine breaking into our
world and how overcome with fright are the people who
experience it. Trembling and even fainting away are common
reactions. Inevitably words of reassurance follow. The
most frequent term is “do not be afraid”.
A search in the NIV translation reveals over 80 uses
of these comforting words, beginning with Genesis and
continuing right through to the last book of the New
Testament (Revelation). Clearly God does not want us
to be afraid of Him.
Still, we often are scared and ready to run when confronted
by things we don’t understand (like God) and certainly
when experiencing any supernatural occurrence. It reminds
me of little children or pets. You want to assure them
of your love, but in their fear all they want to do is
flee. The problem has been magnified by the wrong teaching
that we better behave and be good or God’s going
to get us!
|
Seeking Us
Despite our constant fears God seems to be going out
of His way to seek us. That certainly contradicts the opinions of those
who believe that God is distant, removed and impersonal.
I’m still surprised at how often I’m afraid to face things.
Even with a belief in a loving God and trusting in His mercy, forgiveness
and grace I will still live in fear. This fear can even be low-level and
subconscious. I won’t outwardly act fearful, but I’ll avoid
confronting a need to change behavior, make amends or give my problems
to God.
I’ve found that sitting quietly with the fear can be helpful. That
may seem illogical. In actuality, this practice is not a way to torture
yourself with your fears. Instead of staying in the fear you can experience
it and let go of it. Sometimes we just have to feel the fear before we
can become free of it. The internal struggle to run from it may be strong,
but if you persist you may discover the power of that fear slowly dissolves.
Of course, this is possible only when you let go of the fear and turn
it over to a God that assures you that with Him there is nothing to fear.
Protection, love and grace are available to give you the strength to face
those fears.
Two psalms drive home the importance of trusting in God
and not being afraid. The psalmist in 56:11 states, “in God I trust;
I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6 similarly
assures, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man
do to me?” There is nothing that can happen — not ill fortune,
sickness, depression or even death that God cannot help us with.
|
Still, we have our running shoes on
Paul, the earnest apostle and evangelist of the early church, used
the running analogy, but rather than running away he emphasized the importance of running
towards the goal and finishing the race (,
,
).
I’d really like to be completely free of fear. I sense I never will
be, but I have hope of it not ruling my life. The more I become willing
to trust in God (and His messengers like friends, family, neighbors and
strangers) the easier it is to stem the urge to run away. Instead, I can
turn and face the music.
You’ve probably experienced some near misses in your life, such
as swerving just in time to avoid an oncoming vehicle. Later, when the
adrenaline has subsided and you relate your close call there is laughter.
It’s the relief and realization that what you feared was the worst
was avoided. It’s not just those close calls. When time heals the
wounds of a once devastating event you might be surprised to see God’s
comfort came to you and you learned and grew from that hardship.
Is the world a scary place? Sometimes. It’s also beautiful. We can
be timid or bold. Jesus said don’t be concerned. Essentially he
told us not to sweat the small stuff and that most of what happens is
tiny indeed when viewed from a heavenly perspective.
|
Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
You'll
also receive Practical Biblical Solutions for life's
challenges with our free e-zine |
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
JOHN 14:27 |
|
|
"Peace I leave with
you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the
world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid. " |
|
(NIV) |
|
|
| |
|
|
Recommended
Reading
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
