The Fear of Something Better
(Psalm 112:1) What we fear is what we obey. It's what drives us. It consumes our thoughts. It's no wonder the Bible emphasizes the "fear of the LORD" as key to a blessed life.
I've been chewing on what our priorities should be as Christians while we hurtle towards November. And I keep thinking about fear. There's a lot of anxiety out there about changes to our country.
And I've thought deeply about my own anxieties. What's freaking me out right about now? What am I losing sleep over?
What You Fear = What You Obey
Whatever drives your deepest fears and anxieties are those things which...
- drive your devotion
- fill up your time
- overwhelm your thoughts
- shape who you become
In the words of one of the 90's biggest rock bands:
"What consumes your thoughts controls your life."
(from "What If" by Creed)
The Fear of Something Better
The Bible has an antidote for our fears and anxieties rooted in the wrong things. And I can't think of a better book of the Bible to turn to than the Psalms...
Praise the LORD.
Blessed are those who fear the LORD,
who find great delight in his commands.
Psalm 112:1 (NIV)
Instead of being driven by worry, the person who fears the LORD is driven by praise. By trust. By delighting in God's commands.
And this kind of fear is healthy. Somehow, the Bible mixes the words fear, blessed, and delight all in the same stanza, but it makes sense. It works.
Those who fear God are...
- driven by devotion for Him
- filled with the Holy Spirit and delight in His word
- overwhelmed by His goodness and glory
- shaped by the Son of God living in them
Turning Your Eyes
But what if something is crippling you right now? What if what you are living through feels unbearable and tangibly horrid?
Well, to be totally honest, I don't have a quick-fix Christianese answer to that. Things like "just have more faith" or "it'll be okay" often don't address the reality we live in. Neither do they offer wise, loving counsel.
Instead, let's face that overwhelming fear straight in the eye (just for a second). Then, turn to the face of the Son of God and "gaze upon His wonderful face. And the things of earth, will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and His grace."
Take time to pray, worship, and dive into the Word more than your worries.
You will find your political worry. Your career anxieties. Your social stress. All of it pale in comparison to our risen King.
🔥 Bonus Sauce!
Okay, don't mind the pixelated lyric art here, but this medley will help reorient your day—give the whole track a listen! 🎧