Fear
by T. L. Wiens
It’s always easier to see things from the outside looking in. Recently I watched someone close to me fall into a vortex of fear. He went from a man of faith to a man stumbling over the most basic of Christ centered principles. His eyes are wild when I see him and no amount of reasoning can reach that place within a man where logic resides.
Am I in the same place? What do I reflect? I don’t have the kind of fears my friend has but fear comes in many forms. And there are times when my prayer life is the victim of these fears.
2 Timothy 1:7 says:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
I catch myself at times praying out of fear which is always closely followed by doubt. My eyes are taken off of Jesus Christ and turned onto self. And my prayers reflect that.
These are the times I have to stop and remind myself of Hebrews 4:14-16:
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
When I keep my focus on Jesus and His love for me; His desire to be my help in times of need, my prayers change. I can be bold because I’m safe no matter what happens. Stephen is being murdered, stoned. The rocks are pummelling him and he’s praying for the men killing him. That’s what love can do.
What a wonderful example of 1 John 17 being lived out. It says:
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
John continues to say in verse 18:
“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.”
When fear guides you, it leads to torment, not to Christ. It’s hard to be seeking the will of God when fears are directing your path.
Prayer:
Lord forgive me for taking my eyes off of you and letting fear cloud my thoughts. I pray you will set my heart, mind, strength and spirit back on You. That I will turn back to love and striving for that perfection that is found only in You and through You. In Jesus name, amen.
Tammy Wiens
Tammy lives in Saskatchewan with her husband. They have four children. She enjoys gardening, walks along the beach and being on the farm. She has a passion for her faith, studying the Bible and prayer.
She has published two books; Where a Little Rain Comes Down and Making the Bitter Sweet. A short story, “May’s First Christmas” appeared in Christmas Chaos, a collection of stories about Christmas experiences that don’t make the fronts of Christmas cards. “Careful What You Whisper” is another short story about Tammy’s experiences after breaking her back. It can be found in A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. Visit her website for more information about Tammy’s books and workshops.
