Understanding Fear

Do fears play too large a role in your life? Many fears are irrational. They shut down the mind. Perhaps you are flooded with anxiety when driving over a bridge or when you are somewhere that is overcrowded with people. Some fears are quite rational; such as running out of a house that is on fire or getting out-of-the-way of a speeding car. I believe there is deliverance from irrational fear for Christians: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1) “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4) Our hearts are calmed and fear ends when we fully understand that we are always in the middle of God’s sovereign care.

The fear that is most misunderstood is “the fear of the Lord”. This is actually a fear that protects us and is positive because it encourages us to grow spiritually and to become more intimate with God. To fear God, is to understand that there is no need to fear anything else. The psalmist writes, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.” (34:7) Solomon instructs us that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10) The fear of God delivers us from the fear of man and brings with it the knowledge of the Divine.

When we understand the fear of the Lord, we approach God like a respectful child who knows his father cares deeply for him. We must also approach our heavenly Father with the knowledge that He is the Most-High God of all creation. For the Lord has said, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely, you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7 ESV) In these verses, we see that God has the last word; and will always have in every controversy. The judgment of man proceeds from Him. It is by His definitive sentence every man stands or falls and every cause is won or lost.

Consider how Jesus walked upon the waves of life keeping its fears beneath His feet. We fear too much of life when we fear God too little. Lord, help us to walk upon the waves.