Fear

“There’s so many things in life to be afraid of if you just learn how scary they are.” – Principle in The Tale of Despereaux

This phrase seems ridiculous, entirely. Yet it is the same attitude that the world carries every single day. Be afraid. Of the future. Of the past. Of GOD. Of your neighbor. Of computers taking over the world. Of the tribulation. Of death. Of life even…

Why do we carry this mantra in our daily lives? Shouldn’t we have overcome this? As a society, we have decided to overcome everything in this world, and take control of everything we can. Yet fear still drives us, and prevents us, from living the life that G-d fully intended for us.

Where does this place you? Despereaux, a small mouse, led a heroic adventure without fear. That is the whole point of the film, or is it? Is the story shared to share of a lack of fear, or to bring attention to the fact that we all live in fear.

Christians – listen to me in this. Why are you so afraid? Why am I afraid of sharks, of the dark, of the unknown? Why do I find more fear in the scary stories rather than in actual possible situations? Shouldn’t I overcome this fear? If I am truly following my Lord and Savior, who faced the fear of death right in the face and overcame it, shouldn’t I do the same?

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 KJV+

Our only fear should be that of the L-rd, and even that should be out of reverence and respect, not a wet-your-pants nightmare. The difference? Jesus.

This is not simply a lecture or correction, but a challenge to search in your heart over where you are. I am there with you. Care to share your story? Please comment below, or if you would rather it not be publicly announced, then email me. I would love to discuss why we fear with anyone willing – perhaps we could both overcome our fears together…