Fear Not! A Guide to Living a Fearless Lifeਨਮੂਨਾ

Whom Shall I Fear?

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25, NIV).

A snare is a trap, and if there is a trap, there has to be a trapper. Satan loves setting snares (traps), and one of those traps he has great success with is fear.

Noted author Ruth Gendler is quoted as saying, “Fear has a large shadow, but he himself is small.” We have to quit being intimidated by fear; its bark is much bigger than its bite. Fear is a thief because it robs you of something, and that something is often your hopes and dreams. Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” What has the thief stolen from you?

David said, “The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident” (Psalm 27:1,3, NIV).

Where have you put your trust? Is it in your securities? Anyone who has lived through the 2008 stock market plunge knows that securities aren’t always secure. Is it in your good looks? They say the most insecure people are fashion models because they are always comparing themselves to other models. Beauty is always fighting against age and gravity. Or is your trust in a government that is some $37 trillion dollars in debt? If your trust is placed anywhere other than God, it is misplaced.

The best place to turn to in the Bible for safety and protection is Psalm 91. The first 13 verses of the Psalm describe the promises of God regarding shelter and protection, and the last three verses are God’s response: “‘Because he loves me,’ says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation’" (Psalm 91:14-16, NIV).

Solomon tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV). How much of your heart does God have? If you were to go all in like David did, you can live fearlessly. And when you are free of fear, you’ll have the freedom to be who God created you to be and do what He created you to do.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I want to be all in. I don’t want to lean on my own understanding anymore, but to totally trust in You with all my heart. You said David was a man after Your own heart, and that is what I aspire to be as well. Continue to mold me and shape me in Christ’s image. In Jesus name, amen.