The four-letter “F” Word--- FEAR (some of this is addressed in episode 27 of the JesusRX Prescription for Life podcast)
I have a shirt that says “Fear is a liar”. Is it? Do you think it is? Is fear always a bad thing?
Here’s my take on this. Fear has been very positive in my life, as it has stopped me from doing some dumb things. It has also held me back from doing some incredible stuff (maybe), but what I do know is that for several years, it stopped me from living life. Living life in a manner that I believe we all should be living. I’ll try my best to explain as I go on with these “thoughts”.
An example of fear keeping me from something dumb was when I would turn down all the opportunities to smoke pot with the potheads in my junior high schools. I say junior high schools because I attended three different ones. You see, I had asthma at a very young age and was on medication most of my life for it. I was afraid to smoke anything, as I already knew what it felt like not to breathe well. I didn’t want to hurt my lungs any more than they hurt. Years later, I thanked God for asthma growing up because without it, I may have turned into a drug addict. Alcohol could have easily become a problem, but I’m afraid of losing control or blacking out, and I’ve seen the horrible effects on alcoholics. I’m afraid of how alcohol consumption has brought an end to beautiful relationships that would’ve remained beautiful without alcohol. The fear of abuse from alcoholics to themselves and loved ones was a good thing in choosing a person to marry—no alcoholics for me. Fear served me well in these instances and others throughout my life. I dated an active alcoholic, and praise God, I did not stay in that relationship.
Has fear kept you from doing dumb things? Or maybe you don’t care enough about yourself to avoid harmful things. If that is the case, please get help. Maybe nothing scares you. In talking with women coming out of sex trafficking, if you ever have a chance to hear a lady speak about her transformed life, don’t miss it. They have said it’s scary to face their true feelings and see a whole new life in Jesus Christ. They weren’t scared on the streets, but since knowing Christ, they realized the person throwing them out of a car, leaving them for dead, was not a person to trust. The person giving them the drugs kept them from fear, fear of really living. It scared them to be sober. They had no idea what living, true living was about. They now understand there is no fear when turning to Jesus Christ. They don’t have to fear a living God who has brought them true life. They now know the love of Christ.
Day 21, Chapter 6, Prescription for fear in the JesusRx Prescription for life workbook:
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
Day 18 : Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30) The woman here is not showing fear or punishment from God, but as she knows His love, it is driving fear about the world's worries away. She knows His awesomeness to provide. She does not wear worry or fear on her face. She knows beauty on the outside can be a deceiver of what is going on inside. She looks to God, knowing He is the creator of the universe and her very being. He has power like no other, and she respects that power. He is a God to respect. Because of that, and how she lives her life, praise comes to her.
Day 19: The fear of the Lord teaches a man (person) wisdom, and humility comes before honor (Proverbs 15:33)
The women speaking of their experiences with the life they used to live are now becoming wise, as they humble themselves before God. Humility and a fear of God, knowing our rightful place before Him, are prerequisites in obtaining wisdom.
It may be hard to understand the difference when fear of the Lord is spoken of. If you listen to podcast episode 29 (JesusRx Prescription for Life Podcast), you will hear Amy’s answer when I asked her if she fears God. She has, like all of us, done some very ungodly things. Granted, she did not know God personally yet and had not received His free gift of Jesus Christ, which allowed her to come humbly to the throne and be made new. Jesus' righteousness and the blood shed have covered her, and can do the same for anyone else looking for a new life.
Change can be very fearful. Don’t think you have to do it on your own. You don’t. You may need help from others. Remember, there is no condemnation in Christ. When you live for Jesus, you don’t have anything to be ashamed of. If you feel shame, maybe you aren’t living for Jesus.
Maybe it’s because I heard some women speaking recently about their experiences that I feel a need to include the sex trafficking hot line: 888-373-7888 or text INFO to 233733
May we all gain godly wisdom for these hard situations.
