Thursday, June 08, 2006
When I am afraid...
I know you are supposed to monitor blog feedback, but I am always a day or two behind. However, Denise's comment the other day struck a real chord about fear. We all battle fears of different kinds and at different times in our lives. Sometimes there are childhood fears- of the dark, of the first day of school, and of mastering all the new things you have to learn growing up. Then there are the growing up fears- sexuality, physical traits, school choices, marriage, raising children, and career fears. And it doesn't stop there: you still have aging fears, empty nest fear, health issues, and end of life issues. So I am going to share my three favorite stories that help me face my fears.
The first is Elijah on Mount Carmel in I Kings 18. He is outnumbered 450-1 by the prophets of Baal and God wins... convincingly, powerfully and completely. My God is bigger and stronger than anything that can frighten me. I just need to trust Him and not me.
The second is also about Elijah and is found in I Kings 19, right after this great triumph. So it reminds me that Satan is always going to want me to be afraid. Fear paralyzes, it causes us to be timid, it does make us cowards. And all of those things are opposite of how God intends us to live in this world. But when Elijah is scared and feeling sorry for himself, notice what God does: He sustains him with physical provisions, He appears to him, and He reminds him that there are 7000 others remaining faithful to God. So I realize God will provide for me, He will be there for me, and there are lots more believers out there facing the same kind of difficulties and remaining faithful. So I am never alone.
The last story is from Elisha in II Kings 6:17. When the servant of Elisha sees the enemy surrounding them and becomes very afraid. Elisha asks for his servant's eyes to be opened. When he look, he sees the hosts of the Lord's army, and they are more than the enemy. It once again reminds me that the Lord's army is greater than the army of Satan, and I belong to the winning side.
These are the stories I use when I am afraid. Maybe they will help you.
The first is Elijah on Mount Carmel in I Kings 18. He is outnumbered 450-1 by the prophets of Baal and God wins... convincingly, powerfully and completely. My God is bigger and stronger than anything that can frighten me. I just need to trust Him and not me.
The second is also about Elijah and is found in I Kings 19, right after this great triumph. So it reminds me that Satan is always going to want me to be afraid. Fear paralyzes, it causes us to be timid, it does make us cowards. And all of those things are opposite of how God intends us to live in this world. But when Elijah is scared and feeling sorry for himself, notice what God does: He sustains him with physical provisions, He appears to him, and He reminds him that there are 7000 others remaining faithful to God. So I realize God will provide for me, He will be there for me, and there are lots more believers out there facing the same kind of difficulties and remaining faithful. So I am never alone.
The last story is from Elisha in II Kings 6:17. When the servant of Elisha sees the enemy surrounding them and becomes very afraid. Elisha asks for his servant's eyes to be opened. When he look, he sees the hosts of the Lord's army, and they are more than the enemy. It once again reminds me that the Lord's army is greater than the army of Satan, and I belong to the winning side.
These are the stories I use when I am afraid. Maybe they will help you.
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I had Kenny read this and then we talked about it again at dinner. Thanks for the reminder about some of our greatest heros.
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