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| Collins Maxwell, my granddaughter, secure in her daddy's Navy hat |
Being afraid of the power someone holds or what they might think can cripple the smartest and most gifted person. Intimidation has been around for thousands of years and still operates today. Perhaps that is why the Bible says around 360 times to “fear not.” God gives us a reminder every day of the year to not walk in fear. The best antidote for a fear of man is a healthy fear of God. I am not talking about being scared of God, but caring more what God thinks than other people.
A fear of God is a deep respect for Him and strong desire to please Him above all else. It is caring more that my response to a situation pleases God above anyone other than Him. Too many times in my own life, I have tried to please people more than pleasing God. When we walk in the fear of the Lord, we will have fewer feelings of insecurity, abandonment, and anxiety. Do you struggle with insecurity, abandonment or anxiety? These three things can be evicted in your life by developing a fear of the Lord.
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| Totally secure in Daddy's arms- no fear |
Recently, I was visiting with a friend, and their comment was one that indicated a real fear of another person and their power. Their fear was valid because of previous experiences, however, I could see that they were truly afraid, and, therefore, would not confront the situation. Their fear actually enabled the other person to totally control the situation. Scripture tells us in I Peter 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and a sound mind. Therefore, the fear someone is trying to use on us is not from God and a force that is trying to disempower us.
When we are walking in the fear of the Lord, we have an unshakable confidence that God is on our side. Fearing God is also a reverential trust in His power and ability. Proverbs 14:26 says, “In the of fear of the Lord there is strong confidence...” It is not an unshakable confidence in our ability, but in His. Too many times we fear other people’s reaction and it holds us back. David showed an unshakable confidence when he said in Psalms 127: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?” What fear is controlling you? In what ways do you have a fear of man instead of a healthy fear of God? Author Oswald Chambers said “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that, when you fear God, you fear nothing else; whereas, if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.”
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| Perfect love casts out fear |
Just some of the benefits of walking in the fear of the Lord are wisdom, living long, riches, honor and abundant life. Proverbs 9:10 tells us “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...” Do you need wisdom in a situation? Ask His opinion and He will help you. I know in my own life I have been in numerous situations where I simply did not know what to do. I can confidently move through my day because I ask Him every morning to give me His wisdom and I am learning not to move in situations until I feel His direction.
Proverbs 22:4 says“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” (NIV) I think all of us, except a few people I know, could use an upgrade in humility and reap the wonderful benefits.
Proverbs 14:27 states “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” (NIV) As hot as it has been lately, we could all use a drink a cup of the fear of the Lord and enjoy the fountain of life it will bring to us.
Will you join me in walking more in the fear of the Lord? Let me hear the testimonies of the benefits you reap!
Kathleen is a native of the Hill Country and is a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth. She can be heard on Sunday mornings from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.on The REV-FM, 94.3. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog on www.themaxwellminutes.
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