I was privileged recently to be given a deeper understanding
of ‘fear’ through a personal experience that I will not recount here as my aim
is to share the lesson I was given instead. Rest assured though that I have had
my battle with this principle so I speak from my own frame of reference.
I concede that the adversary uses fear as a form of control
but I am talking about deep seated fears here that we ourselves have created
which sabotage our growth, our direction in life, and even our faith in God.
Fears that subvert our path in life, cause mistrust, rob us of peace and use us
like puppets on a string disguised as an unseen enemy.
Most of you are familiar with the scripture that says, “for
God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound
mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). The sound mind is for us to discern falsehood from
reality. Fear is not reality. Deep seated fears are usually a residual effect
of traumatic experiences we have been through.
Fear has no substance, nevertheless, we somehow hold onto it
thinking it will protect us from wading into some deep water again that at one
stage sought to drown us. Some fears are so deeply engrained in us that we are
not even aware that we are harbouring them.
This is the lesson I was taught. Fears too are covered by
the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Since painful damaging experiences in life are
worthy of the healing power of Christ, it goes without saying that fears, being
a resultant part of those experiences, are covered by the same redeeming power.
We can be healed from them the same way we are healed from consequences of sin,
abuse, mistakes, injustice, and every pain known to man.
If you are carrying an experience in your life, that you
cannot get past, consider that fear is at play. The Saviour doesn’t want it to
control you. He is the Prince of Peace who grants freedom from any debilitating
part of mortality. He is waiting to heal you. There is nothing which impedes
our growth that He has not atoned for: fear not, only believe.
I
kept my fears so close to my heart,
They hid so well not wanting to depart.
They pulled the strings
And bade me where to go;
They owned my soul
More than I wanted to know.
You took possession of the inner me
And thought that change
Would suit me beautifully.
You entered my heart
when I gave You the key
And replaced those fears with
tranquility.
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