“Fear Not”
People, especially women (me included), tend to be fretful; as irritating as that can be to ourselves and others, it is part of our sinful nature. I am one of the first to say how easy it is to forget that God is in control of EVERYTHING, especially when things are not going the way I planned. (Hindsight is 20/20…)
Like Thomas after Christ’s ressurection, it is easy to have a “show me” faith, however; the Lord does not want us to be so.
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. John 20:25
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. John 20:27-28
Our Lord is not the author of confusion or giver of fear:
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:33
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
The “Christmas Story” is another perfect example of this.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18
I can’t imagine what was going on in Mary’s mind at this point. At first, I thought that she might have known she was pregnant before the angel told her, but then in the parallel passage in Luke 1, there is no indication she knew before.
Isn’t that just like our Lord?
Consider the anguish of heart and mind that He spared her had she been far enough along to realize she was pregnant and had not been told the source. It was all in God’s perfect plan and timing.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: Ec 3:11a
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2Th 2:6
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4-5
Recently, we found out that I am in peri-menopause, so my hormones and emotions are completely wacky. Fine one moment, crying the next, mad the next, irrational, etc. It has been difficult to say the least, especially for my family. When my emotions settle down, then comes the shame. It isn’t just the shame of what I said, or how I behaved, but knowing it didn’t have to be that way.
The world says this is normal; I just need to “get through this”, but I can’t find that in Scripture. For those who know the Scriptures, this would be one of those situations where we wish we didn’t know the Bible so well (fleshly speaking) as the Lord doesn’t let us get away with as much.
However, unlike the world, God’s children are not alone in our daily battles. We have the precious Holy Spirit dwelling within us who promised to guide us into all truth and never leave us alone. We have no excuse…..
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20
Even in those highly irrational moments, I could feel the Spirit of God trying to work, but I CHOSE not to let Him. I hadn’t wanted to admit it, but I made the choice to ignore that still small voice. (1Kings 19:12) That is what brought me the greatest shame. As much as I know my Bible, I convinced and deceived myself into thinking that God was not in control and could not be of me in that state. I made the choice and refused to yield. I need allow the Lord to bring His Word to remembrance, for yes, Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Yes, the Lord gives peace to His children:
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. Psalms 29:11
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalms 119:165
“Offend” does not mean to insult, but rather “to cause to stumble”. ie, if I love God’s law, nothing shall cause me to stumble.
Do I have a real physical problem that is providing a ripe state for irrational behavior? – Yes.
Is God, through the Holy Spirit, able to give me the power to conquer those battles by making the right choice? YES! An emphatic “YES!”
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1Corinthians 10:13
For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Heb 2:18
We are taking steps to rectify this hormonal imbalance, but it will certainly be easier for all concerned if I choose to “love God’s law” the next time my emotions get wacky. Like Mary and many others throughout the Scriptures, I need to hear the angel say:
“Fear not…” Luke 1:30
and yield the the Lord’s control:
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. Luke 1:38
Posted in Devotionals | Tagged comfort, fear, rest, strength | 1 Comment