Fear: Friend or Foe?

Have you ever thought about what fear looks like for you?  I don't mean what it looks like as it affects you or as you allow it to consume you, but rather what does it look like?  I was once asked to describe my fear.  The person asked me, when you feel it where does it start?  What does it look like?  At the time, I thought what an odd question!  For me, fear is like an oddly shaped ball with spiky thorns and pointed edges that lodges in my chest.  It starts out rather small, but if I do not take the proper measures (namely call upon the name of Jesus) it has the tendency to grow and grow, overshadowing all other emotions and sometimes even rational thought.

This weekend is the most important weekend of the whole year for those who call themselves Christ-followers, Easter weekend.  I have been pondering how 11 men must have felt this very Friday and Saturday approximately 2000 years ago.  I am speaking of course about the disciples.  These 11 men had left everything, sacrificed everything to follow Jesus.  They left wives, mothers, fathers, children, jobs and friends to follow Jesus three years prior to the events of this weekend.  One week prior they had entered the city with their leader seated on a donkey amidst shouts of praise and palm branches.  They thought Jesus was entering the city to destroy Rome and set himself up as the new King, he was going to end their oppression once and for all!  In 5 short days everything changed.  I cannot know what they were thinking, but the only word that comes to my mind is blindsided.  As they watched their teacher, mentor, and friend die the most horrible death imaginable, do you think they were griped by Fear? 

Last night, at our church's Good Friday service, our pastor made a statement that stuck with me, "The Spirit of Fear is a real spirit in this world."   There are two ways in the bible that the word "fear" is used.  One is "fearing God" which is not to be afraid of Him, but rather to be in awe of Him.  The other is the type of Fear that I am discussing here, the kind that can range from mild uneasiness to stark terror depending on the circumstances and emotions involved.  How do we take this kind of Fear captive?  This is the hard question in my mind.  I have a tendency to invite Fear in, offer it a cup of coffee, and settle in for a nice long visit.  When in reality, a friend reminded me this week, we must hate Fear!  We must hate its paralyzing capabilities, we must hate what it causes us to become, we must hate what it prevents us from accomplishing!  Fear is not my friend, it is my enemy!  I must use God's word to take back the ground that it steals!  If I let fear move into the spare bedroom, it will take up residence permanently, but it won't be content living in the spare bedroom.  Eventually, it will demand the master bedroom and then possibly the whole house!  Use God's word to combat fear, kick it out, and kick it far!  

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." -Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you asthe world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not beafraid." -John 14:27 (NIV)

"For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline."  -2 Timothy 1:7 (ASV) 

After the disciples heard Jesus utter the words, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) and then they watched Him die, what do you think they felt?  Their hopes, their plans, and their dreams must have seemed to die with Him.  They went back to their homes, their families, and their jobs.  However, on Good Friday, we know that the story did not end!  We have a hope that those men did not have!  Sunday is coming!  Jesus conquered fear, He conquered death and He did all of that just for me!  

There is one song that I listen to every Easter, and I cannot listen to it quietly!  It must be on full volume and the window's to the house must shake when I listen to it!  

Jesus completed the most awesome work for you and for me that day on the cross!  Do not let fear occupy your spare bedroom for even one second longer.  Use the power of God's word to show it to the curb!