Are You Full of Fear?

Are you full of fear?

Current events explode on our TV and computer screens with unthinkable scenes. Crime and violence are on the rise, while respect for authority, law and order are on the decline. Ordinary citizens find themselves squeezed in the middle.

How can this endless stream of unrest and lawlessness not make a person jittery?

First, let me begin by commiserating. I truly empathize. But my jitters began years ago when every area of our American way of life began to change. As they slipped away, I wondered—weeping—could they ever be recaptured?

As Christians, we must respond—must be informed—must have a ready answer. Realize that the Lord will use each of us in a unique way to answer those within our hearing. Pray that He would give you those words of truth and comfort, especially for bringing the Lost into His kingdom.

Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances (Proverbs 25:11, NASB).

As for fear, let the Word of God bring you peace. Remember that God tells us not to fear 365 times in the Bible—once for every day of the year! No matter the next tragedies— insane as they all are—run to Jesus and find your solace through your personal relationship with Him.

Also, pray for and assist those who are being victimized in whatever way you can. This is a great time to be a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer, as James tells us in 1:22-25:

But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But he who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Most of all, look up. Our citizenship is in heaven. As the world spins away from God’s laws, so we know that Jesus is coming soon to take us to be with Him for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Word says the Redeemed will be swept up and delivered out of the tribulation that is coming on the whole world.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, NASB).

If you have been full of fear, I pray the Lord take it from you and fill you with His perfect peace.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:27, NASB).

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33, NASB).

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7, NASB).

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

May these words of Jesus bring you blessings of peace, comfort, and joy.