What are you afraid of? Do you have fears that you try to hide? Do you have fears that you openly share with others? Are you afraid of various animals? Do you fear for your children, parents, or other relatives? Do you fear for your community or country?
Fear comes in all shapes and sizes. There are fears of spiders, any type of bug, dogs, cats, and wild animals. We fear situations such as interviewing for a job, the first day on a new job, meeting new people, having no one, losing a loved one, and facing a debilitating disease.
I have a fear of heights that I have mostly overcome, while continuing to have a healthy respect for. I partially overcame by force, since part of my training in the Marine Corps required me to repel down a thirty-foot wall and off a one-hundred-foot tower. But I also have learned to trust God when I have had to get on my roof or climb a twenty-foot ladder to put up Christmas lights. Make no mistake, I’m cautious and take my time, but I also ask God to be with me.
The Psalmist isn’t really talking about being afraid of heights. He is talking about being afraid of being overrun by his enemies. He is talking about having to encounter people who would normally seek his demise. Facing that kind of fear is a big challenge and can be debilitating. Fear can be so strong that it freezes us into inaction.
When we face challenges that has us shaking in our boots, we can rely on God to get us through. By trusting God to grant us courage and guide us through the situation, we can overcome our fears. When we trust God to be with us every step of the way, our fears will dissipate, and we will be successful.
I pray we all learn to trust God in all situations. I pray we ask God for the courage we need. I pray each one of us will overcome our fears by relying on God, asking for his guidance. Trust God in all situations. Ask God for courage. Ask God for guidance. Overcome your fears.
Psalm 34:4
I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Marty Pressey 