Bad things can happen. But good things can happen, too!

 

Don't let fear win. God still loves you!

The Value of Experiencing The Things We Fear

Sometimes it can be good and helpful to actually experience the things we fear because when we are exposed to these types of issues in a firsthand way it is quite possible we will discover the experience was not as devastating as our fears made it seem.

A number of years ago I went through some troubles I would have put—at that time—into this category: Something I fear greatly.

Quite frankly, the experience was not pleasant but it was survivable. The world didn’t end. Everyone involved continued on with life.

Having gone through what I feared helped me have a different perspective. I discovered it is entirely possible the emotion we know as fear can be greater than whatever it is we fear. This may seem like a fairly strange idea to express but living through what we fear can actually be liberating.

"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid." Psalm 118:6

Terrorism, Fear and God

Terrorism has a certain measure of effectiveness because fear is such a potent emotion. A terrorist group knows if they create enough fear they can exert control over people. Sometimes people will even surrender values they hold dear, such as freedom, in order to avoid the incredible discomfort of fear.

Sadly, surrendering these values—in the long run—will not stop the fear because no matter how many values we surrender it will never be enough for the people who advance their agenda through fear. So they will never actually discontinue their fear tactics. Why would they stop doing something which gives them power over others?

Why would they stop using a tactic which, from their perspective, works?

I do not want to live with fear. More importantly, God does not want us to live with fear. A genuine sense of God’s presence in our lives is one of the most certain ways to experience true freedom from fear.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…”  Psalm 23:4

Why is it possible to walk through this valley with no fear? Because “thou art with me.” God’s presence matters.

It is one thing to pretend, when it comes to God. It is another matter to cultivate a genuine relationship with God in which there is true assurance of His presence. Pretending provides no relief from fear. A genuine relationship opens a whole new way of living with confidence and power.

Fear And The Time In Between The Crucifixion And The Resurrection

Fear stinks.

Oh I know, there are situations in which fear serves a useful purpose. If a hungry lion escaped from the zoo and he’s been following you on the walking trail for the past couple of minutes you should have some fear or else you’re not taking the situation seriously enough.

But oftentimes fear is not good. Some people live with an unhealthy sense of dread and fear which prevents them from living life and doing the things they need to do and want to do. They live with a basic sense that they are alone, helpless, vulnerable and with the sense that whatever happens next will probably not be good.

I’m thinking about fear today because in between the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus it seems pretty likely His disciples were caught up in fear. Jesus had given them words of reassurance. He told them what would happen. He even said these specific words to His disciples, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus made it possible for them to experience peace and assurance but they tended toward fear instead.

It happens, doesn’t it?

In between the crucifixion and the resurrection, it looked dark. It seemed that, perhaps, evil would prevail. There was tremendous sadness, disappointment and confusion. I suspect some words to this effect were spoken: “What just happened? This is not how we thought this would go.”

Fear seemed reasonable.

Remember, though, it is not God’s intention that we live in fear.

Do not be afraid. Darkness doesn’t win.

God loves you. He loves you completely and perfectly. He loves you more than you can imagine. This is the truth. The more you know and genuinely recognize this truth the less fear you will experience.

And remember, even when things look grim, the story is not over. Easter is coming! 

Dealing With Terrorism And The Fear It Provokes

You probably know that a man recently beheaded a woman in Oklahoma. I suspect all the facts regarding this brutal, vicious, ugly action are not in but, at this point, my understanding is that the man beheaded the woman with a knife.  A knife! I keep trying to get my head around that reality but this kind of barbarism is hard to process.

When I heard this story, like everyone else, many thoughts went through my head.  I will admit that some of my thoughts weren’t very nice. But I suppose horrible actions will tend to generate thoughts that are not nice.

There are a number of things I’d like to express when it comes to this story because it has stirred up a bit of anger in me and I feel like venting.  But I’ve taken a few deep breaths and counted to 10 and I’m realizing it is probably wiser for me to exercise some caution and not go on a rant with a bunch of my initial thoughts because a person in a Christian leadership position is supposed to be a person who behaves responsibly.  (Hey, I might as well start with this responsibility thing now, huh? Better late than never.)

I will share this thought, however: My experience as a pastor has helped me understand that many people in our culture struggle in serious ways—sometimes even debilitating ways—with fear.  Obviously, when we encounter stories like this one—a story that deals with a person in our own country being beheaded—it stirs up even more fear for many of us because it can feel like this: a savage and cold-blooded form of terrorism may now be coming to our homeland and operating in ways we have never before had to deal with.

The Evil One wants us to live in fear. Fear is a fertile breeding ground for the type of chaos and hatred he wants to perpetuate. Terrorists operate utilizing fear as a primary tactic, as well. Fear can be very effective for their purposes.

God, on the other hand, does not want us to live in fear. In fact, God’s love and God’s presence can dispel fear. Please know I do not write these words as glib clichés, I write them in all seriousness and with a genuine desire to offer help.

I present this truth to you based upon firsthand experience and based on the authority of the Bible:  God’s love and God’s presence can dispel fear.

I’m not suggesting that other forms of preparedness and awareness are not necessary. They are. I pray that our nation’s leaders will be vigilant and untiring in their efforts to prevent terrorism of any kind. One of the most basic and essential purposes of the government is to provide for the protection of the citizens. I am trusting our leaders will take this responsibility very seriously.

However, fear is a difficult emotion to dispel. It doesn’t always respond to pure reason or intellectual arguments offered to assure safety. Terrorists know this and they hope we will respond to them in fear.

My beloved friends, I write this in humility and love:  Fear is not inevitable and it is not unavoidable.  We don’t have to be afraid.

Is It Possible That Fear Isn't Always Such A Bad Thing, After All?

Fear can be troublesome.  Fear can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of life.  Fear can dominate a person’s life in very unhealthy ways.  I have spent more time than I would like to admit experiencing unhealthy fear.  It was not a good thing for me and I don’t like it.

It would not be good for a person to live in continual fear.

However, it’s helpful for us to remember that fear can have a useful purpose in life, too.  Fear is part of the natural alert system that is wired into us.  The emotion of fear exists for a reason.  There are times in life when it is reasonable, natural and even helpful to experience fear because there is something that demands the kind of focus that only fear brings.

Occasionally people have told me they don’t want to turn to God purely out of fear.  I understand that comment and I would be quick to point out that there are many valid reasons to turn to God that are not motivated by fear—His unfailing love for us would be a great example.  No one will ever love us more than God loves us.  That’s a very good reason to turn to God and walk with Him.

We would be wise not to underestimate the usefulness of fear.  Fear can, sometimes, help us identify what we really understand to be true.  Fear, in the right context, can help bring tremendous clarity regarding what we genuinely believe.

There are 16 instances of Jesus saying, “don’t be afraid” in the gospels.  The God who loves us does not want us to experience needless fear.  (I feel compelled, for the sake of clarity, to write again, that fear is often unhealthy and unhelpful.  It is not good for a person to live in continual fear.  A life of perpetual fear is not God’s desire for anyone.)

But Jesus also mentioned an example of a healthy fear that we should have.  He put it this way, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28

We live in a culture which has influenced us to believe that anything that makes us feel bad or uncomfortable is morally suspect.  So fear is almost never considered to be a good or helpful emotion.  I’m suggesting it is important for us to recognize the value of fear and respect the truths that fear can reveal.

There are some things we ought to be afraid of.  If you are in the woods and a bear is running toward you at full speed and you feel absolutely no fear at all, you are not brave or courageous, you are a fool. 

In the right time, place and context fear may not be such a bad thing, after all.

Let Go of Fear And Trust The Good Shepherd

It would be easy to let fear overwhelm and control us.  When we hear the news and contemplate the actions that regularly occur fearful thoughts and feelings would not be an unusual response.  But we have to continue to live and a life consumed by fear is not a life well lived.  I’ve re-read Psalm 23 today and I’m choosing to let go of fear and put my trust in the Good Shepherd.

Experiencing All of Life, Including The Difficult Feelings

We have a very understandable impulse to want to numb ourselves when we experience feelings such as sadness, pain, guilt, vulnerability and fear.  The problem with numbing these types of feelings is that when we do so, it leads to numbing positive feelings such as confidence, happiness, courage and joy, as well.  Part of learning, growing and truly living involves working—with God’s help—through the experience of all these feelings.

Perfect Love And No Fear

In the Bible stories, over and over again people are told, “Do not be afraid.” There’s a lot that could be said about fear, but the simple point of this brief post is this: God loves us.  And God’s love is perfect and complete.  “…Perfect love casts out fear…” 1John4:18.  …So, do not be afraid.

Choosing To Let Go of Fear And Trust God

It would be easy to let fear overwhelm and control us.  When we hear the news and contemplate the actions that regularly occur--such as the bombings in Boston yesterday--fearful thoughts and feelings would not be an unusual response.  But we have to continue to live and a life consumed by fear is not a life well lived.  I’ve re-read Psalm 23 today and I’m choosing to let go of fear and put my trust in the Good Shepherd.

When We Understand God's Love, Fear Diminishes

A long time ago, a friend told me that she feels a low level sense of fear, almost all the time.  It is not God’s intention that we would live this way.  When we acknowledge and fully embrace God’s total and unfailing love for us, we don’t experience fear.  When we understand the truth of God’s love we experience peace, joy, assurance, and the fullness of life!

Confidence In God Rather Than Fear

It’s sad that so much of what we do is motivated by fear.  I read an author one time who suggested that our world is “ruled by fear”.  Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of loss, fear of dying, worse yet, fear of living. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid…’” Hebrews 13:5-6.

Why Is God Important When Receiving Criticism?

I posted a thought earlier today in which I stated that God is important to the process of receiving criticism in a healthy way.

Why is this true?

In order to understand how God can help us in this area of our lives, it is helpful to start with this realization:  Criticism feels threatening to us.

There is a part of our brain that perceives almost any kind of criticism to be a threat.  Even if the person who is offering the criticism does not mean to be threatening, it feels that way to us.  And so there’s a natural defensiveness that rises up in us when we first hear a criticism.

In a fundamental way, what we’re talking about is, fear.  Most of the time, when we receive criticism there is some measure of fear that is stirred in us.  That’s why sometimes we can see someone be criticized in a very minor and gentle way and yet their reaction to the criticism seems extreme.

We look and think, “Why is this person reacting in such a volatile way to such a minor criticism?  What’s going on here?  Why such a strong response?” 

The answer is that the person is afraid.  The strong reaction is coming from fear.

This is where God is so important.  God drives out fear.  How does He do this?  With His love.  God’s love for us is perfect, unfailing, and unending.  And the Bible tells us that, “…love [real love, God’s love] has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.”  1John 4:18.  The last part of that verse is expressed this way in the NIV translation, “Perfect love drives out fear.:”

When you don’t really believe that God loves you, you will experience more fear in life.  If you don’t believe that God loves you, you will have a hard time receiving any kind of constructive criticism because of the fear that it will generate in you.

On the other hand, the more convinced you are that God loves you, the less fear you will experience.  If you are really convinced that God loves you, you will be more able to hear criticisms without anger and melt downs and furious denials because when you realize that God loves you, you realize that “it’s alright”.  You will be able to say to yourself, “The fact that I’m receiving some criticism is alright.  The fact that I have areas in which I need to grow is alright.”

The person who truly knows God’s love calmly understands that criticism is alright because we know that our inherent worth and value as a human being is not based on the fact that we’re imperfect and still have room to grow.  Our inherent worth and value as a human being comes from this unshakable truth: God loves me.

I’m going to repeat that last sentence because it’s very important to think about it:  Our inherent worth and value as a human being comes from this unshakable truth: God loves me.

Do you believe that God loves you?  Do you?  Really?  Please note: I’m not asking if you know words about God’s love—I realize that you know those words—I’m asking if you have a true conviction in your heart that God loves you?

If you do then you can receive criticism graciously. 

And if you can receive criticism graciously, congratulations!  That means you’re in a good place to grow.

Living Free From Fear -- Video

It's sad that so much of what we do is motivated by fear...

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Do You Have Confidence And Assurance of God's Love?

Many people find that they are more prone to fear as they get older.  The experiences of life have shown them many ways that things can go badly, and this can produce fear.  So our confidence and assurance of God’s love for us is very important.  As you know, God’s love is perfect.  “…Perfect love drives out fear…” 1John 4:18.  You remember that God really loves you…right?

Over By The Drink Refill Station

I was sitting at the place where I drink iced tea and do some of my reading and writing.  One of the workers came by the drink refill station to tidy up and restock the area and we greeted each other.  I know this young woman simply as a casual acquaintance.   She is very friendly and she’s always smiling and bubbly and—I know this might sound like a corny word, but it’s true—vivacious. If there’s such a thing as being “vivacious”, she is.

She doesn’t have her usual smile this day, though.  And her greeting is not the same.  It doesn’t have the energy and enthusiasm.

I say, “How are you?”

She says, “Okay.”

I’m tempted to let the interaction go at that.  After all, I’m in the middle of writing some deep and profound words—hey, don’t laugh, it’s possible—and I’ve fulfilled the social obligation of being friendly and offering a greeting.  But something tells me that everything is not “okay”.  As I look in her direction, I notice that she has cast a glance over my way.  I have a sneaking suspicion—a nudging from God?—that she needs to talk to someone.

I say, “Has it been a long day?”

She says, “Oh, it’s alright…but…well…I don’t know…I guess things have been stressful, lately.”

“Stressful?” I ask.

She walks over to my table and begins to fill in the details.  I won’t provide all of that here, of course, but it involves the kinds of things that would result in stress and concern and worry and probably even a bit of fear for most people—the fear that comes with uncertainty.

As she tells me about one particular issue, I can see the fear on her face.  This is a face that usually has a big bright smile.  I’m saddened to see the fear.  She goes on to describe some more of the details and I can understand why she might feel fear.

She begins to talk a bit about God.  She knows I’m a minister.  I listen.  I don’t say anything.  (Sometimes, the very best thing we can do is just be quiet and LISTEN.)  She doesn’t talk long, she’s not on an official break.  But before she gets back to work she says, “Would you remember to pray for me?”

“Yes, I will,” I say. 

And I have been praying for her every day since that encounter several days ago.

Sometimes people tell me, “Dan, I don’t know my calling from God.” 

I would not presume to know the details of God’s calling on another person’s life.  And I am not, in any way, trying to minimize the importance of knowing your calling from God.  However, here’s a thought….perhaps you could consider PART of your calling from God to be this: bringing love and comfort and a listening ear and prayer support to those who are hurting or frightened.

If you consider this to be part of your calling, and if you listen carefully to others, you will find that there are always LOTS and LOTS of opportunities to minister in the name of Christ.  Sometimes those opportunities will even come at the drink refill station.