Fear

Fear

By Pastor Aggrey Soyekwo

Proverbs 29.25 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” – NIV

Fear is such a strong force that has caused unimaginable things to happen or fail to happen. People fear for various reasons, good or bad, such as rejection, lose of possessions, uncertainties, harm or lose of life. Good fear is reverential fear of God. Bad fear is any other apart from the fear of God. We respond to what we fear. That’s why the scripture above says when we fear man, it proves to be a snare. It leads to bondage. You cease to be yourself and do things you wouldn’t normally do or things contrary to your values and beliefs. Fear suppresses release of your potential and gifting. It puts you in a box. Some people thrive on imposing fear on others.

The fear of God liberates. It makes us hate evil and ushers us into our God set destiny. It builds communion that secures and empowers us to be what we were created to be. As we reflect upon our lives, there are probably many good things we have missed, opportunities lost, connections unsecured, projects and dreams never attempted… all because of fear. Although it is good to be cautious about certain things, fear will paralyze even the obviously clear. God desires to set us free from the fear of man. This doesn’t mean arrogant rebellion. We should give due respect to all in the fear of God.

The scripture above gives one antidote to fear; trust in the Lord. We don’t know what lies ahead. But we trust the One Who holds our future. He will not fail us. And so we face tomorrow and every scary situation with confidence. With this confidence, we can face tough situations and resist even the mightiest of men if what they want to push us to is contrary to God’s will and purpose. Is your fear toward God or man centred?

Psalms 27.1-3 “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? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”

Shalom children of God.