Fear or Faith?

     The following is an excerpt from my book, Pathways to Devotion I.

     For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7 KJV 

     I believe one of the greatest problems affecting people today stems from a small four-letter word called “fear.”  Yet, what great distress it can bring us and at times can even dictate the kind of decisions we make.  I am not talking about the healthy kind of fear that preserves your life (like driving carefully and cautiously on slippery roads!).  I am talking about fears that are based on unreal and often imagined disasters.  For instance, if you are afraid of heights, you may feel paralyzed at the thought of flying, so try to avoid it as much as possible.  Some people may have anxiety about leaving their house (agoraphobia); others are afraid of enclosed or tight spaces (claustrophobia).

     Some people try many things to try to overcome their fears, like talking to a counselor or reading books about how to overcome it.  Still others try to face their fears by taking greater risks or facing the thing they fear the most (like flying even though they are afraid of heights or enclosed places).  The problem with trying to cure fear though, is that even though you may overcome one fear, you may find you have other fears to overcome that are just as daunting as the one you overcame.

     My own fears have been many and frequent (like fear of flying and public speaking), but I have usually forged ahead in spite of them.  A couple of years ago, however, I found myself entertaining so many fears that it began to affect my life in a debilitating way.  After doing much research, I discovered that of all the books and articles written about fear, the Bible is one of the best and most reliable resources.  For instance, I learned that fear is not from God, but rather from an unwelcome spiritual source that is demonic.

     If you really think about it, people who live in a constant state of fear and anxiety do not and cannot have a sound mind.  It is not until a person experiences the “peace and love of God” that they can know true serenity.  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment” (I John 4:18).  God loves you and I with a perfect love even though we ourselves are far from perfect.  This in itself is a tremendously comforting thought.  Like a mother or a father wants to protect their child, so does God want to protect us.

     This love that God has for us has been proved to me time and time again.  I have learned that all I have to do when faced with fear is remember that I don’t HAVE TO give in to it.  I can choose to believe that God will help me and protect me because of His great love and care.  I know He will do the same for you! 

Application:  Read: Psalm 91; I John 4:4,7-18

Pray: against every thought contrary to peace; for a mind that’s filled with faith thoughts & the courage & willingness to obey God’s Word.

Reflect: Meditate on Philippians 4:6-8. What do these verses mean to you? Be specific: make a list.

Taken from Pathways to Devotion I. Copyright 2006 by Linda McBurney-Gunhouse.  Published by Creative Focus Publishing.  All Rights Reserved.

When we Are Weak

Since it is winter, I read that we are apparently entering into flu season and there are many viral-based illnesses going around.  I believe I’ve been hit with something, not quite the flu, but feels like it – throbbing headache, achy, weak and so on.  It hasn’t been fun and I’ve had to stay inside and curtail all my plans for now.  I know there are many others with colds and trying to get over annoying coughs and so on.  It’s not a very fun time. 

Prior to getting sick, I managed to write a complete short book in about four days.  I had just started getting it into publishing mode when I started coming down with the sickness.  In addition to writing, since the weather had been nice, I had been out every single day making sure I got in a walk and the fresh air that is so refreshing in January when it’s not so freezing out there.  I was also feeling a great deal of stress trying to recuperate after a very busy three weeks of celebrating Christmas.  I am sure I’ve been slack in getting to bed early enough since there’s always so much to do.  I really wasn’t functioning as well as I should.  Then finally I came down with the sickness. 

But while I’ve been at home feeling weak and at times discouraged, the Lord has reminded me of some verses that a friend shared with me years ago when I had so many problems I could hardly stand up: 

2 Cor. 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Cor. 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  KJV

What does this mean?  For me, although I’ve prayed and others have prayed for me to be healed, it is taking time to run its course.  During this time I am reminded that even though I may not be healed right away, the Lord’s presence feels even nearer to me in my weak state than when I am strong, busy and self-determined.  When I am well, somehow I miss out on discovering that Jesus is a friend who sticks closer than a brother; He is there especially in my weakness, and He takes pity on me when I am too sick to help myself get better.  I become humbled by the knowledge that He doesn’t have to care for me and about me as much as He does, and He doesn’t have to be here with me around the clock.  It also makes me appreciate Him and all the good health He normally blesses me with, not to mention the blessings of family and friends and so many other things. 

If you are feeling unwell today, please take heart. It can be the most endearing time to reach out to the Great Physician and become acquainted with His ways.  He understands our sickness and sorrow because He’s also gone through all that we’ve been through and are currently going through.  He can and will heal, and in the meantime, He will be there for you as He is for me, to strengthen all that is weak and to draw us closer to Himself.