We may not like to admit it, but fear plays a bigger part in our lives than we’d like. God knows this. Maybe that’s why he wrote “Do not fear” 365 times in the bible, one for each day! Sometimes we have rational fear. We should be fearful of God’s response to unconfessed sin, and rebellious choices that war against him. We should be fearful and take cover when a tornado comes our way, not stand out in the storm with a video camera! We should be fearful of real dangers that come with the moral decline of a nation or with our own wayward choices.
But sometimes we have fear over things that might not happen or even if they do, are completely beyond our control. We have fear about finances, our job, our children, our marriage, politics, the personal conflicts in our life, a fear of dying and sometimes a fear of living in pain and sickness. We’re afraid we’re not good enough, strong enough, or faithful enough. Wer’re afraid of dying and sometimes afraid of living in pain and sorrow.
Fear comes knocking at our door, but God shows us how to answer it – with scripture and prayer.
The opposite of fear is: assurance, calm, cheer, confidence, contentment, encouragement, faith, happiness, joy, trust, love, and courage. Maybe we should to devote time this week and Google “what the bible says about…” these things. We can’t fight fear with God’s strength unless we depend on his Word.
We’re warned against storing up for the future when we aren’t guaranteed today. We’re cautioned against building up stockpiles of treasure on earth at the neglect of treasures in heaven. Maybe you’ve asked, “Should I set up an emergency stockpile of supplies in case of a pending disaster or war? Should I stock up on guns and ammo in case people come after “my” supply? Should I convert all my savings into gold?”
Maybe there’s a more basic question to ask when we’re tempted by fearmongers to build a wall against fear: Perhaps the better question is not, “Should I do this,” but “WHY do I want to do this?” What is the motivation of my heart? Is it to be a prudent servant of God who still trusts in HIM? Or is my aim to be self-sufficient in case God doesn’t come through for me?
I know this is a difficult question, but one thing we know from the scripture is that God cares about the motives of our heart. He cares whether we confront people with love or with a prideful vengeance that says, “I’m right.” He cares if we stock up great wealth for ourselves as a hedge against financial threats, or whether by learning to live below our income, we build up an abundant hedge to provide for others also. Living on one income instead of two offers you great flexibility to respond when God calls.
The whole matter comes down to how we decide to live this life. God permits us to live for our comfort and pleasures but isn’t it more beneficial to help those he calls “the least of these?” In doing so we intentionally invest our lives and resources in others, telling them, “I believe in you. Don’t give up. We care. God cares!”
We all live with one foot on earth and one in heaven. It’s prudent to prepare for the end of our life as well as the disasters that come our way during it. Though some days are more of a rollercoaster than others, we all want to say at the end of the day “It is well with my soul! God is in control. His plan is far superior to any of mine. His goodness and mercy are with me daily.”
But in the end, let’s let our motive be to live each day for Gof, as prudent stewards and investors of the riches he has given us to help others in need – for heaven’s sake.
Live well today – on earth – and with heaven in mind!