Conquering Fear

I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

WE ARE LIVING IN A TIME OF UPHEAVAL. The global economy is still reeling, millions are out of work, governments around the world are toppling, nations threaten war, terrorists still plot to kill on a mass scale, and we wonder what kind of world our kids will inherit.

In the middle of all this chaos, believers are called to trust the Lord with the assurance that He can deliver us from all our fears. Trust does not mean “believing that every circumstance will turn out great.” It means having confidence in the character and love of God even when hard times deliver crushing blows. Indeed, the Bible is filled with examples of faithful men and women who had great outcomes and terrible outcomes. Peter was miraculously delivered from prison, but John the Baptist was beheaded. Why? That is known only to God. Even though the circumstances may be horrible, a mature Christian recognizes that God is still worthy of our trust.

The Cross of Christ has forever settled the question of whether God is utterly committed to us. But the Cross also demonstrates that God, in His providence, can allow even His own Son to experience extraordinary pain to accomplish His broader purposes. Much of God’s plan will not make sense until we are in heaven. In the meantime, He offers us deliverance from our fears if we will seek Him.

BOTTOM LINE

God does not want us to live our lives paralyzed by fear. He is able and willing to give us a peace beyond human understanding if we will trust Him.

Moment of Strength: Hebrews 11