Being Afraid is a Choice
Here’s an interesting question: have you ever been afraid of fear? Does fear make you nervous? “What if I get scared?” Fear can have a paralyzing effect on people, and thus, they become more afraid of it than the actual thing to which it’s connected. They dread the feeling of fear. This is not referencing a mechanism in our brains, which seeks to keep us alive. Sometimes known as the flight or fight response, in which the body arouses fear in order to prepare the body for some sort of action for the sake of self-preservation. That type of response does not have a long-term affect.
Then, there’s unreasonable fear, which the imagination creates, even if there’s no real basis for it. “What if?” Along with that, there’s the spirit of fear, and fear people try to instill in order to manipulate others. There are a number of places in the Bible where God says, “Fear not,” or “Be of good courage.” Why? “Because I am with you.” It reveals we have a choice in the matter. We can hang on to fear, and gravitate toward it; or, we can say no to it, because He is our confidence.
This has great significance in the day and age in which we live. Unfortunately, there are a number of Christians who succumbed to the fear of things that have no direct bearing on them. They have allowed the world to dictate to them whom or what they should fear, while forgetting what God has to say about it. No judgement; just discernment. Christians are human, after all. Nonetheless, by God’s grace every one of us can live differently.
Fear and Desolation
Proverbs 3:25-26 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Another way verse 25 could be phrased is, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror; nor of the sudden destruction of the wicked, when it comes.” The fear or terror points to the object of fear, and the feeling it infuses. From its root word, there is a sense of alarm. Interestingly, this same word is also used in conjunction with the fear of the Lord. Could it be that some actually give some sort of reverence to people or things that cause trepidation? Perhaps, even more than they give to God?
This is not some elites’ statement: while all Christians and non-Christians fall under the category of human, they are not the same. We sometimes forget, there actually are wicked people in existence, and there is a demarcation line which God has placed between us and them. As this passage indicates, what falls upon the wicked should be of no consequence to the believer. We live under a different set of rules. Be sure of one thing: God is equal! The decision to follow God, or not is up to the individual.
It is also important to not be shortsighted, and think solely in terms of the destruction of our physical bodies. Yes, there has been believers who have died alongside wicked people; however, physical death is the only similarity. Would it be considered sudden destruction if one were to be martyred for the sake of Jesus? Another thing to remember is everything on earth is temporary. Our true treasures are above, where we should set our affections; otherwise, we could be plagued with the fear of loss of earthly things.
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
How many have made God their Confidence? Part of that includes listening to what He has to say about the things we face. With the later in mind, it would be useful to remember, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Moreover, we all have purpose, and until His plans for us are complete and we go Home, He will continue to use whatever circumstance we encounter for the good (see Romans 8:28).
Romans 13:5-6 Let your conversation (character) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
