In
some cases, fear is amusing and sought after. Think roller coasters. Your pulse
starts to pound and your palms begin to sweat as the seat you're strapped in
slowly climbs to the top. It reaches the top, stops for a split second, and
then plummets toward the earth. Some laugh, some scream, some cry. But regardless of the response, if you’re like me, you’re scared. And it’s that thrill
of fear that keeps us coming back. We pay to be scared!
(In
addition to theme parks, think about how much money Americans spend each year
on things like haunted houses and scary movies.)
In
other cases, fear is very real and very serious. Fear can cause us to make rash
decisions or stop us from making right ones. Fear can paralyze us.
Some
are affected by the fear of failure and difficulties…some by the fear of weakness
and insignificance…others by the fear of being unloved and alone. In Romans 5,
the Apostle Paul gave us the instructions to vanquish the aforementioned
fears.
Fear
of failure and difficulties? “We can rejoice, too, when we run into
problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Romans
5:3).
Fear
of weakness and insignificance? “And endurance develops strength of
character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans
5:4).
Fear
of being unloved and alone? “And this hope will not lead to
disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us
the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5).
Paul
was telling the Roman church that God has equipped us to live out His plan for
us.
Fear
has a tendency to creep into our minds before we even recognize it. We let the
"what ifs" in our lives leave us feeling debilitated. What if I
forget what to say? What if I don't know what to do? What if I do it
wrong? What if...
When
we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us
sinners (Romans 5:6). He came at just the right time! And He will always be
with us when we need Him! Don’t be haunted by fear!
Jesus
died for you so you don't have to be afraid. He conquered your fears when He
walked out of that tomb. So again I say, don’t be haunted by fear!
“For
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and
self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). This should give us liberty to live within
His hope! Don’t. Be. Haunted. By. Fear!
Brandi
Burton
