Fear is a Liar

When I first heard the song on the radio, “Fear is a Liar” by Zach Williams, it resonated in my soul. Fear is the great enemy of our human condition. Fear is written by the father of lies himself, Satan. Fear creeps in on its belly as the ancient evil one did.

What are your fears? Loneliness? your health? your children? your marriage? sobriety? I could type a hundred more reasons for you and me to fill in the blank. At different stages in my life, so many have had a stronghold on me. Raising four children through the teen years was especially difficult for me to banish fear. New fears have appeared when others were vanquished. What kind of world will my grandchildren inherit? Will we have enough funds for retirement? When I forget a name, lose my phone and keys or re-tell a story again, is it Alzheimer’s?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7

Bringing fears straight to the Lord is our only solution. I tend to try to beat them myself, fight alone, read a few self-help books and then vent to my friends. It doesn’t work and somehow I usually find myself on that rutted road again.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; HE delivered me from all my fears.Psalm 34:4

Twenty-two years ago, I was at an impasse with fear. Our son was 15 years old and beginning to drive. I was literally terrified. I was waking at night with full-fledged panic attacks, chest pains and all. I tried to put it out of my mind during the day but at night, it came alive. My parents, brother, grandfather and uncle had all died in car wrecks. I knew where my fear emanated from but I couldn’t do anything about it. Finally, I gave in to my husband and friends and went to a Christian counselor. She was amazing and I highly recommend Christian counselors as we navigate life. She helped me face my fears by helping me limp to my Savior’s arms. It wasn’t pretty and it definitely wasn’t Hallmark movie-worthy. She gave me tools in scripture to heal and to combat the darkness. She took me to the throne room in prayer. She forced me to be the one to teach my children to drive and not avoid fear. The counselor brought my 15-year-old in and told him he would always have to call more than an average kid. I learned that our days are already numbered by HIM and HE alone holds them. I am not in control and actually, it’s much better for me to be HELD by Yahweh than to HOLD to my own.

My husband has a broken heart. Nope, not because of love but cardiomyopathy. He was diagnosed when he was 36 years old and has numerous procedures/pacemakers/defibrillators/daily meds. His left ventricle is irreparably damaged. The fear is real but GOD is our reality. HE is our destination. I could share more stories assuredly but so can you. Your pain, your fears, your uncertainty, your insecurities are an inescapable part of the human condition. Inescapable for us, yes but they can be broken by the ONE who holds our souls only. Fear takes your breath away but our breath is restored by the ONE who breathed it into us.

Fear begins in our earliest moments in infancy and continues rearing its ugly soul for the rest of our lives until we are safely home. In 2020, we live with the most comfort, technology, medical advancements, material possessions, and physical needs security than any other civilization in history. And yet, the ancient lie of fear rules the planet. Our children are plagued with it; our families are wrought with it. Fear fuels depression, anxiety, insecurity, and stress in our lives. We sorely need our Savior. Saving ourselves has definitely not worked.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Fear is mentioned 365 times in the NIV. One verse per day of the year….By chance? I don’t believe in chance or coincidence. EVERY DAY, there is a resounding, “Do not be afraid for I am with you”. One of my favorite passages came from the account of Jairius and his daughter.

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” Luke 8:50

Jesus turned to a man who thought he had lost it all….Just Believe. Satan intends to destroy us, paralyze us or shake our faith. Jesus came to give us abundant life. The abundant life is found from taking refuge in HIM alone.

How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. Psalm 31:19

Fear causes us to pause. Use that pause to run as fast as you can to the ONE in which we abide. HE will make the path clear for us to arrive safely home. Maranatha! Jayme