Fear Less
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The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
-- Proverbs 29:25 (NKJV)
It’s been said that most things people fear never happen. Still, the current state of the world is concerning. Political upheaval, the economy, and current world events have encouraged a sense of dread that is increasingly prevalent. Worse yet, if you’re addicted to a never-ending news cycle, you can’t help but find infinite reasons to fear.
However, the fear of man is a trap. If our happiness is contingent on what ifs and the activities of politicians, coworkers, and even family members, we will never experience peace. An unhealthy fixation with other people’s conduct or constantly striving to please people due to a fear of disappointing them affects our emotional, mental, and spiritual health. But there is a better way.
The book of Proverbs teaches us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, a holy reverence that teaches, guides, and corrects our behavior. In contrast, a fear of people brings with it frustration, poor choices, and diverts our attention from the Lord. Unfortunately, our fears most often stem from people, not our heavenly Father.
Consequently, debilitating fearful thoughts can make us emotional hostages to the whims and opinions of other people. This isn’t at all what God wants for us. Jesus sacrificed Himself that we may live abundant lives, full of confidence and courage to fulfill our purpose, not to appease people.
I’ve experienced firsthand how fear distorts perception. It readily shifts focus away from what is possible with God onto irrational logic that failure is imminent. Fear is contagious, grows exponentially, and exacerbates negative circumstances. When we feed fear through worry and doubt, we stifle opportunities for hope, peace, and contentment. And that’s exactly what the enemy wants us to do, especially as we pursue those dreams that God gives us.
Yet when we remember our worth, reflect on God’s faithfulness, and recall His promises, our irrational fears can subside. Though, it’s normal to experience fear, we don’t have to remain fearful.
Trust God and fear less.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Reflect on activities or commitments that drain you. Do you continue to do them because you fear disappointing people?
2. Do you fear confrontation associated with change? Is God prodding you to do something else?
