Fear

Fear
Wow-I had no idea how prevalent fear is in our daily lives until I started this. In writing the Lenten devotion I am asked to turn around - think differently or repent. In my earlier days I was afraid or feared church and God because I believed the fear of God was to fear judgment and eternal death. When we believe the world to be a fearful place we may turn to the next president, our next paycheck or radical belief for certainty and place our trust in someone or something other than God.

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.

As I looked more into this and into myself I see how much fear is prevalent in everyday life. Most of the times we fear something or someone because of ignorance. Pontius Pilate most likely feared Jesus because doubtless many times before him men pleaded for mercy or denied the accusations against them. Jesus did none of this - he just simply stated that even though he was governor and judge he had no authority over him. There are of course things to be afraid of in this world. But God does not ask us to knuckle down and overcome our fears - He simply gives us an invitation to trust, to be present and to be aware of God’s presence where we might otherwise assume His absence.

So for the season of Lent, I have decided to give up on fear. I will try to take on a better way, to live in the reality of God’s presence and be more aware of Him- that way fear will have less of a hold on me. Wish me luck and we will see how this goes. Thank you Pastor Tari for asking me to do this, it has opened my eyes.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love and self control