God is very clear that fear is a choice.
This is a tough lesson for me because I’ve been shaking in my booties since birth.
And have you noticed He tells us not to be afraid at some really odd times.
When the angel appeared to Mary, he told her not to be afraid.
Huge props to Mary for obeying because God was about to visit upon her a high calling
but one marked with suffering, rejection at the hands of her own people, and the agony of watching her innocent son murdered before her very eyes.
And yet, God tells her to choose not to be afraid.
In speaking to the prophet Isaiah, in the passages foretelling the coming of Jesus, God says this:
“For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying:
“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.
But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” Isaiah 8
Do not fear what this people fear nor be in dread.
These are words for us today.
We live in fearful times.
People are afraid of losing power, of suffering, of being unsuccessful, of looking bad to others, of being considered ugly or weak.
Watch carefully the commercials on TV this season and see what the marketers are encouraging you to fear.
Then, choose not to fear what these people fear.
God makes clear that we can choose to direct our fear.
I am terrified of diving and fearful around water but if one of my children fell into a river, I would direct my fear to my greater fear of losing my child and so, would overcome my fear of the water.
In the same way, it’s natural for us to fear suffering, hardship, disapproval from others, and sacrifice but when we direct our fear to our greater fear – fear of dishonoring or disobeying the Lord – we are free to overcome our fear and swim against the current of the age.
Mary knew what it was like to swim against that current.
Her entire life was spent for Christ and she suffered on His behalf for our salvation and for God’s glory.
Do not fear what the world fears.
Even suffering, powerlessness, pain, hard work, loss, sacrifice, sorrow, and separation from those we love, in God’s hands, are nothing to fear.
What lesser fears are you allowing to hold you back from entering God’s greater story?
‘Tis the season to release them and inhabit His call on your life.
Fear is a choice. What will you choose to fear?
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Fear can grip you and embrace you fully…it’s hard to shake from its grasp. It takes courage and a belief in Someone greater. Loved the video too…thanks!
I have found to use my fear as a challenge….this year I step out on faith (Action) and stood for what was right with fear…I made it into my challenge, Christ was with me…and I do not grate for standing up!! for righteousness…I love this “Do not fear what they fear”…God Bless you! Agape!