Living in the Spirit
July 23, 2014
Scripture Reading: Psalm 128
Happy is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. —Psalm 128:1-2
Fear is an interesting emotional state. It can freeze us into inaction or give us the extra adrenaline to do things we never thought we could. Merriam-Webster Dictionary* list several definitions. Let’s look closer at three of them:
- agitated foreboding often of some real or specific peril
- calm recognition or consideration of whatever may injure or damage
- profound reverence and awe
I am somewhat claustrophobic. I never intend to ever have another MRI in one of those closed tube things again. The open sided MRIs were invented for me. Claustrophobia is an irrational fear, not based in reality, and taken to an extreme can be debilitating. I have “talked” myself out of being controlled by the fear when needed in some situations. I think that may be what is meant by the calm recognition or consideration of whatever may injure or damage. I have also found that by facing the fear over time it has lessened in intensity. I overpower the fear when my need to not let it control me is greater than its control of me.
A lot of fear is not irrational. Soldiers going into battle, fire fighters searching burning structures, and parents trying to dislodge whatever is choking their baby are experiencing real fear. In each situation they have chosen to turn their fear into a tool for the survival of others without concern for their personal safety.
The fear of God encompasses both of these traits. The all-powerful, ever present God is the source of our strength in overcoming irrational fears and the source of our bravery when protecting others. We are privileged to experience flashes of the wonders of God in bits and pieces of our lives. It is almost impossible to comprehend the full force of God’s power and might, but that awe is the only fear we really need.
Prayer: Almighty and Ever-present God, thank you for gracing us with your gifts of strength and bravery. May we use them wisely. Amen.
* http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/fear
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.