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