Keeping God At Arm's LengthPrøve

Giving in to our fears and anxieties is another way in which we keep God at arm’s length, albeit unintentionally. Most Christians do not consider their worrisomeness a hindrance to God’s transformative work in their lives, but they should. Fear can be paralyzing, especially in the face of spiritual challenges. The apostle John characterized fear as a symptom of God’s love unembraced. (1 John 4:18) Those who live fully in the love of Christ have nothing to fear from this world – or the next. The apostle Paul echoed John’s sentiments, exhorting us to bring our fears and anxieties to God – not let them keep us from Him. (Philippians 4:6-7) For non-believers, succumbing to fear reflects self-doubt. For believers, however, it can indicate a lack of faith in God’s absolute power, providence, and goodness. In the words of Jesus, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matthew 6:27)