FEAR

 

I remember many times in my life where fear has probably saved me from pain, injury and/or death. However, too often inappropriate fear held me back from things that I could have and should have done. For nearly all of mankind's existence, fear has driven men to the heights of achievement as well as the depths of depravity. Of course all fear is not bad. Here in the West, the sources of our fears have changed significantly. Generally, there is a greater fear man than God! Terrorists both foreign and domestic taking the form of bombers, gangs, police, even neighbors cause many to act irrationally. Fear that our comfortable way of life will fall has many voting for tyranny and laboring for ideals they do not hold. 

Yet, fear can be a great motivator when we fear the right things. Allowing our fear of the wrong things to drive us is extremely destructive to all things righteous. Normally fear perpetuates torment, it is love that casts out fear. (1 John 4:18) "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." Without faith, fear can be debilitating. (Mark 4:40-41) "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Nevertheless, where faith boldly carries the light of hope, fear becomes the catalyst for righteous action and beneficial results. (Hebrews 11:7) "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."

Faith leads in the light of hope
while fear hides in the loveless darkness

DOMESTIC ABUSE an issue of power

Domestic violence / abuse is never right, even if it has become acceptable in your home or culture.
It could turn out to be fortunate that domestic abuse has come center stage in recent days. Fortunate in that the problem of abuse has never gone away, only our willingness to recognize and act against it. We must consider the dialogue that has begun as a potential for progress against this terrible offense. The Bible tells men to "...Dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life..." 1Peter 3:7.

• Knowing the needs of our spouses, and not using them as weapons against them, builds and benefits our relationships and helps us realize that we need each other.
• Honoring them lifts them up from within because they feel the value we place upon them in our lives and we will naturally protect them because of their intrinsic value. 
• Understanding that the life that we have is only by the grace of God, the undeserved and unearned gift of the Almighty, should cause us to treat the gift of their life as a blessing from heaven as well; for we certainly have not earned our life any more than they.

Let us now engage in a dialogue for change and act:

• With godliness in our approach
• With compassion for the victims
• With a plan for protection
• With appropriate action against the offenders

Don't Go Alone

Life can be tough and often it feels like no one else suffers the pain and agony that you do. While it is true that no one else feels exactly what you are feeling, there are some who care. Those who want to be there, and really would like to understand and help. Let them in! Please, do not go it alone. You do not have to be alone, especially now.

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) “Two are better than one; …For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
Someone who loves and trusts God will be able to love you and you will be able to lift one another up in these difficult times. In verse twelve, it says that two together will prevail and that when the third cord of the Lord is braided into your relationship you will not be easily broken. 
The more you pull away the lonelier you will feel. The more you push others away the bleaker your condition seems. Friends will not have all the answers but they will wade through the mud to help you find them.