Fear the Lord

Here we go, another F!!!  Fear.  It's a long one, but near and dear to me, so here goes:

I have recently started attending a bible study at my church, The Grove, and I can't even begin to tell you how much I love it.  First of all, I have never really read the Bible!  Yes, I have been a Christian all my life and other that turning to the verses I am told in church every Sunday and reading along, or memorizing my short and simple verses as a child, I have never actually sat down and READ the Bible.  And I have to tell you, so far, it is a good book!!!  The story of God's Love shown through the redemption of his people.  Not only am I enjoying the reading, and learning so much from it, but the fellowship with other Christian women is so powerful.  I actually have people in my life willing to pray for me and my fears and concerns...out load!  You have no idea how comforting that is until it happens...these are strangers that have instantly become close friends and confidants.   I  have no one else in my life right now that has voluntarily prayed for me when I bring a concern to them, and it is an amazing feeling to have that now.

Today we were reading the story of Saul and David and how Saul was fearful of so many earthly things which lead him to act out of that fear and against the word of God.  It really struck home for me...that I need to fear nothing on this earth, I only need to fear the Lord. 

And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, -Deuteronomy 10:12


And that doesn't mean be afraid of the lord because he is scary, but to fear him for what he is in all his might and awesomeness.  Fear that without him I am nothing.  Fear him because he tells me to! It is the type of fear that you have when you do something wrong in your Father's eyes (daddy's little girls, you will get this more).  That was my biggest fear growing up!  If I ever did anything wrong I was terrified that my Dad would find out...not because I was "afraid of him" but because he was the strong, authoritative man in my life and I did not want to disappoint him. My father NEVER raised his voice to me, cursed in front of me (well if he did, he quickly apologized to me out of respect for me as a child and a female)  or became frustrated with me or even so much as spanked me.  I knew he would forgive me for anything I ever did, and that he loved me unconditionally and would never ever harm me, but I still "feared" doing wrong in his eyes.  One time in my rebellious teenage years, my mother had caught me doing something well, very bad.  I was in big trouble, but the one thing I remember most is when she told me she was going to tell my Dad.  I was terrified!  Him knowing what I had done was the absolute worst sentence I could receive. That is the kind of fear we should have for the Lord.  Unfortunately, it doesn't take out mothers telling the Lord what we do wrong.  He sees our hearts...there is no hiding from him...so fear the Lord.

What do you fear on earth? I'm not talking about spiders or things that go bump in the night, I am talking awestruck, trembling, heart-stopping, can't breathe fear.  Fear that paralyzes you and either keeps you from doing the things you know you should or compels you do thing you know you shouldn't.  Or both!

Do you fear your children getting hurt? Unfaithfulness in your marriage? Being alone?  Not understanding God's purpose for you in life?  Or, better yet,  understanding it and not wanting to accept it?  Not having control?  Not having enough money? The ones you love not having Jesus Christ in their hearts and being saved?

Today at Bible study, we were asked to share one of our biggest and secret fears with our tables and have them pray for us about them.  I must say, God put a big one at the forefront of my mind.  I am not comfortable sharing it in this forum, and to be honest I was choking up, and having anxiety at the thought of even sharing it with my small group of 3 women I don't even know that well.  I almost did not share...But I did.  I got it out, along with a few tears.  My new friends prayed for me,  asking God to be with me and to take the burden of this fear from me. This fear that I have been thinking about and internalizing,  losing sleep over, not telling anyone about was now out in the open, said out loud!  And boy did it feel good! 

Think about the one thing that you fear most in life.

Now...hand it over to God.  Pray that he take it on so you can stop worrying. 

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Pray and ask others to pray for/with you.


I hope this post wasn't too preachy, I am soooooo not the preachy type...in fact I am the type that shuts down when I feel I am being preached to unsolicited.  but  I felt such a huge weight lifted off my shoulders today and I just had to share it!  Do I still have fear?  Am I human?  Yes of course I do and I am, but now I know that I can let go of all of that and give it to God to worry about.

P.S.  saw this saying on a placard at Bed Bath and Beyond today and I love it!  "Stay Calm and Carry On"  Nothing to do with fear but thought I would share :-) 

Have a great day!