I got an email this morning from a friend who I coach soccer with. It simply said, be sure and watch the website because this weekends’ games may be cancelled. The emailed assumed I would obviously know why the league would consider canceling the games. I racked my brain. For the life of me I could not figure out why the games would be canceled. At the risk of appearing really stupid I emailed back. “Why would the games be cancelled this weekend?” I got a short response. “An overreaction to swine flu.”
Last week I attended a meeting led by Dave Ramsey called “Town Hall for Hope.” I listened as people called, twittered, facebooked, emailed, and verbalized their fears and concerns related to the economy. Dave said something that I thought was significant. “Fear is the opposite of hope. Be wise, fear the Lord not the economy.”
Certainly we live in an age of fear propagated by sensationalized media reports that show only the worst of the worst. Just a small example. If you removed media from your life altogether you would likely have never heard that 361 people in America have swine flu as of this post. You would simply go about your life less fearful. Media can be good but you get my point.
We all have a choice to make every day. Will we live in fear or walk by faith. Be careful not to get caught in the paranoia of the culture. Fear is usually caused by our choice to believe a lie. Fear is a “shalom” robber. Fear causes anxiety, paranoia, unrest, depression, and a host of other irrational emotions. Faith on the other hand brings freedom and security. Faith is not denial of reality. Instead it is a choice to trust God to lead you through the present reality. Consider the following verses. Turn the news off tonight and instead read these verses with your friends, your spouse, or your kids. Take heart. You are a Christ-follower. The King of the Universe knows your name. Trust Him.
Proverbs 14:26 He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God.
Isaiah 35:4 Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong and do not fear; Your God will come, He will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.
Brian Haynes 
Thank you!
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Brian,
What about the fear of faith? It’s what I see in my husband right now. Raised Catholic, he’s in fear of making life changes even if they make sense. He’s feeling guilty. Guilt from not following tradition and cultural teachings. Guilt from learning about scripture in a different setting. Guilt of trying to make sense and ask questions. Guilt and Fear of true faith.
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Wow, that’s a tough one. You probably already get that this is “false guilt” heaped on by years of religious tradition and by the enemy. Continue to encourage your husband and pray for him. The Lord will set him free even as he takes little baby steps toward authentic faith. God is greater and more powerful than religious guilt. I think your husband is on a journey spiritually. The Lord will guide him if he will follow. Let me know if I can help.
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Thank you Brian for your timely words and encouraging scripture!
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Brian,
Words that I can certainly use right now. I know we all can come up of numerous things to live in fear of. Daily I want to simply walk each day in FAITH. Thanks my friend. Jennifer R.
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