Fear

[This musing is a continuation of musings from August 5, 2020 and December 16, 2020]

With China, Facebook and Twitter censorship, the election and capitol problems, executive orders promoting “free will” (restrooms, abortion, and expression) and COVID at the front of the news these days, fear is gripping much of the nation.  The fear of COVID-19 is driving much angst over face-coverings and vaccines, our elderly being locked down, children having to spend hours covered, and the pain of deaths attributed to the virus.

A few weeks ago I was encountered by a career RN (not of our church) who went off on the whole thing as a hoax and politicized.  At the same time, there are many who are very fearful of the whole thing!  With the threat and fear of contracting the virus, we all hunkered down/sheltered for weeks and closed church and for many it continues.  For many weeks Darrell Z. was restricted to his room in a care center and only had visitors at his window – this included his own daughter!  Being locked in has also been true with Greta for the past few weeks.

Fear is a great force that enables control by some over others (the midnight knock and being whisked away forever, the letter from the IRS, or the 1:37 AM phone call).  In fear, men lose strength, hope, joy and freedom.

Fear is a powerful, powerful emotion that drives much of what we do.  Why do we buy insurance?  Why do we exercise (heart and health)?  Why do we get weak-kneed at the edge of a precipice?  Why do we fight death (fear of the other side)?  Why do we pay our taxes (the IRS has agents!)?  Why spend money on ADT?

FEAR from The Century Dictionary: a painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil or harm, and accompanied by a strong desire to escape it; an active feeling of dread of which fright and terror are the intenser degrees; hence, apprehension or dread in general.

Consider this passage which teaches that fear binds and Jesus conquers fear…

Hebrews 2:14-15, Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

II Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

One of the first and foremost door openers to other demonic spirits is the spirit of fear.  This spirit can take on many forms, but its intentions are clear, no matter what kind of spirit of fear it may be.  It intends to keep you from fulfilling the destiny that God has on your life; from living a joyful, spirit-led existence where you give to others out of the overflow of love in your life.  It will keep you awake with nightmares.  It will keep you from leaving your home or overcoming past emotional and physical wounds.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18, KJV

Fear God and life’s fear will lose its force.  Why?  Romans 8:18, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.