Crush That Fear

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” – Psalm 34:4–5

The world is full of fear. When I listen or read about the news worldwide, I often fear what’s next? What is this world coming to?

These feelings often come rushing when things quiet down to keep me from resting at night, wondering what will happen tomorrow. Do I lose sleep over it? Yes, I have, but I try to rest in the Lord and give it to Him who never sleeps. I’ve learned that the enemy places fear in my mind to control and manipulate me. Therefore, I will not allow evil to control, laugh, and manipulate me because God did not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

Here is a cute short story that put my fears into perspective 

Disclaimer, this is not my story, and I don’t know where it came from in order to give credit.

In a small town, children were told, “Do not go to the top of the mountain; it’s where the monster lives.” One day, the curiosity of the young men got the best of them, and they decided they were going to defeat the monster. Halfway up the mountain, they heard a roar accompanied by a strong and very unpleasant smell. Half of the young men ran down the mountain in terror. The remaining men got farther up the mountain, noticing the monster was smaller than they expected, but when it roared again, all but one man ran away, terrified. As he stood several steps forward, the monster shrank to the size of a man. The closer the man got, the more it shrank. The monster was still hideous and smelly; however, he got so small, the man could pick it up and hold it in the palm of his hand. He asked the monster, “Who are you?” In a high-pitched voice, the monster responded, “My name is Fear.”

The moral of the story is that fear only exists in your thoughts, and it’s relative – it does not exist on its own. Fear is an exceptionally damaging feeling; it can make everything in our lives come apart. Fear will always come against us, but we don’t need to allow the “fear monster” to control your life. Hold fear in your hands and crush it. Listen to Jesus’ words – “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ~ Matthew 14:27

Dear Heavenly Father, please liberate me from my troubles and the intensity of fear. Please help me confront the fear monsters I’ve been running from and silence the roars that keep me from advancing my life. Would you please transform my life? In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.