Daryl Fawcett wrote:People who feel that they are being harrassed do strange things.
Maybe.. but we
all need to learn to not be ruled by or to walk in fear.
I heard the following on the radio one day, and it stuck with me. Some think I am rather brave but the truth is I am not at all, it's just I am not usually afraid of most things. It doesn't take a lot of courage to face things that don't bother or scare you.. Anyway, on this particular day I had to acknowledge and face and overcome a crippling fear that I did have in order to help another, or so I thought. A fear caused by a very real event in my past.
After initially recoiling at the idea, and thinking of every excuse not to...none of which worked, I prayed and told the Lord that I was scared but I would do it if he asked, and asked him to keep me safe, and he did of course. To begin it was still hard to face my fear but... as soon as I began to do as I was asked my fear just disappeared.
But afterwords I couldn't understand why it had all been necessary or why the Lord had asked it of me, or how I had even helped this other really, or what had been accomplished... so I was driving and praying and asking "Why, did I have to do that?" and the static on the radio cleared just long enough for me to hear the following from a minister.
"Two Irishmen were talking about their favorite inspirational Bible verses, and the one said, mine is Psa 56:3 "whenever I am afraid I will trust in thee" the other said mine is Isa 12:2: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid..."
When I heard those words, it was like an epiphany moment. I started to both laugh and cry because I had been under the impression I was just helping another but it wasn't about that at all. I was overwhelmed and overcome in that moment for I truly felt loved by my Lord and him smiling at me. It was all for me, and all about him helping me and him teaching me to trust him even more and overcome my fears and follow his lead because he truly does love each and every one of us.
Walking by faith is an ongoing learning process.. and our faith grows with each step. God is so good.
You know, I didn't notice this for a long time, but it is not just the unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars who will have their part in the lake of fire aka, the second death. The very first group mentioned in that verse in Revelation is "the fearful"...
It's all about faith really, and we have the remedy for being fearful for "Perfect love casteth out fear" Our God is love.. It is my hope and prayer we can all learn to trust, and not be afraid, by first learning to trust in the Lord when we are afraid...
Have a Blessed Sabbath Daryl.