Managing Your Emotions Day 2 FEAR

Fear not, for I am with you… - Isa 41:10

“Do not be afraid” occurs in the Bible 365 times! A divine assurance that we need every day! Don’t we fear anything and anybody – food, animals, people, situations, disaster? Some fears are even enslaving, crippling, dividing, and destroying. The worst is we fear how to deal with all our fears!

An old story about how a fearless brigand rushed to his tragic end driven by fear! Strapped in chains he stood before the King, awaiting judgment. “I am willing to offer you one more chance – a Choice,” said the King, “Choose the way you want to go?” On his right was the gallows, the noose tangling and beckoning; on the left the robber saw a big thick dark formidable door with sentries. The man’s instant choice was the gallows. He prayed: “I have chosen to die and will die. But if I may know what lies beyond this dark door?” The King ordered the door open and there! He saw a beautiful ally leading to an open vast land of freedom and a new life! Alas! the noose tightened! The fear of the unknown deprived the man of another chance to live free!

Fear isn’t in man’s DNA. It is self-learned and socially nurtured. We learn to live with fear. We learn to manage people by driving fear into them, be it disciplining a child, schooling a student, or controlling an employee. Even Governments use the law as an instrument of fear. Fear is sometimes good - it helps us stay safe in dangers with our flight or fight response. We take precautions or seek help if necessary. Fear of puncturing relationships makes us watchful of our language. Fear of bad performance pushes us to work harder for better results. Fear of making a bad decision helps us make the right decisions after weighing the pros and cons or calculating the risk. But frequently fear has also a negative impact. Thriving on our imagination, fear becomes a phobia that can cripple our capabilities and drives. In such moments we need God’s help. We should leave our sandals (fears) and enter Into His presence handing over the reins to Him!

The Bible commends another kind of fear – “ The beginning of knowledge is the fear of Yahweh” (Prov.1:7). It is the filial fear of displeasing Father God, by our thoughts, words, or deeds. Wisdom is God’s gift to us to discern His sweet Plans in our lives and live in His presence constantly. Even if at times clouds of fear engulf us, let us cry out like the drowning Peter “Lord! Save me! ” (Mt.14:30)

Lord, Take my fears and take my tears, make me fear-less, if not fearless! “If God is with us, who shall be against us” (Rom.8:31)