Fear

The longer I live, the more I realize the huge role fear plays in our lives as Christians.

Do you ever worry? About your health, your kids, your future?

Most of us do, and worry is just another word for fear.

Why do we fudge the truth? Probably because we’re scared of what’ll happen if we don’t.

Why do we sometimes fail to say what needs to be said? Because we’re afraid of confrontation, or the effects of confrontation, or what people will think about us.

Why do we so easily participate in gossip? Because we’re afraid of looking self-righteous or judgmental.

Why do we so often go along with things that are wrong? Because we’re afraid of looking foolish.

If you take a close look at our most common sins, I think you’ll find that the root cause is fear—we’re scared of something.

Peter denied Jesus three times because of fear. The one-talent man buried his money in the dirt because of fear. Abraham slept with his wife’s servant because of fear.

That’s not how it’s supposed to be, of course. God doesn’t want fear to control us.

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:15-17).

Is there fear in your heart today? Are you worried about something? What kind of fear is stealing the joy from your life in Christ? What kind of fear is keeping you from being fully obedient?

By God’s Spirit, cry out to him today.

Abba! Father!

Ask him to cast the fear out of your heart. Beg him to fill your life with confidence in him, to help you trust him enough to obey him no matter what.

Facing fear is part of the human struggle, but it shouldn’t control us. —Chuck