When a wave of fear hits us, it exposes what we most value. When fear takes over, it is all-consuming. That fear affects what we do and how we do it, and everything in life revolves around staying alive in that area. All of our guards go up, and we stand in our conviction to eliminate danger at any cost.
Fear of man or situations costs us. It costs us mental stability, relationships, money, and rest. Just think about the past few years. What did fear cost you? All the above and more, right!
But what if I told you there is a cure for fear? The Bible gives this cure in Psalm 34. I’ve picked out a few verses to highlight, but I encourage you to read the whole chapter.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together! v3
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears. v4
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack! v9
Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord. v11
As outlined in scripture, the cure for fear is to seek the Lord, and He will deliver you of your fears. Then fear the Lord. That needs to be our top priority. If you don’t know how then ask, and God will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whatever we think about most will become magnified. We are told to magnify the Lord. When we do, we see God is all-powerful and all-knowing. When we magnify what we fear, it becomes bigger and scarier.
“We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. When man’s terror scares you, turn your thoughts to the wrath of God.”
G. K. Chesterton
Living your life for the King of kings changes your perspective on what’s true and is a good use of your time and thoughts. When you put God as more important than everything else, this focus changes how you react to the world around you.
One morning, I woke up to the smallest of armies that had invaded my kitchen. These ants are so organized and march in a straight row. Yet I had an appointment with the Lord of Heavens Armies, so I took my tea and met with Him first. He was more important than this tiny army. He sets my marching orders because I’m in His army. I have found the importance of fearing God first. My morning worship and reminder that I am His keep me single-minded in pursuit of Him.
I believe looking to God first instead of any crisis (like the ants) keeps my mind focused. When a wave of fear caused by a storm in my life feels like it’s going to drown me, God is near.
Jesus calms the storm Mark 4:37-40
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
When we look at it from the disciple’s viewpoint, we can relate to their fear when alerting Jesus to help them. We, too, are fearful of the storm and the waves crashing into our safe space. We pray, “God help me, don’t you care that I’m going through this storm and afraid”?
The disciples and Jesus were in the same boat. The same waves are going over each of them, and water is coming in. The disciples were freaking out, but in contrast, Jesus was resting, sleeping on a pillow in the stern. How could He be at rest?
First of all, Jesus is not afraid of man, beast, or nature. He knows Father-God intimately. Jesus knows the plan God has for Him and trusts his Father completely. Dying at the bottom of a boat was not in the plans. He was here on a mission. A storm couldn’t rock His faith, and other people’s fears couldn’t either. And at the end of the story, he reprimands his followers by saying, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?”
The Cure for Fear
Seek the Lord and He will deliver you from your fears
Fear God! Worship God! Reverence God!
If you don’t know how, ask Him.
After my time with God, I got dressed, then went into the kitchen to deal with the army of ants that had invaded my kitchen. Within an hour, I had two more crises hit our family. But because of my time worshiping God, my eyes were on Jesus instead of the waves. I was at peace. I was choosing to fear God, not man. Friends, practice this and remember these words when the storm gets wild again. I don’t want you to be consumed by the wrong kind of fear because that fear is pure torture. Instead, seek the Lord and worship Him.
If you’ve found this helpful, pass it along. I am honored when you post on your social media pages. It helps to get these important messages from the Bible to your friends. I don’t know your friends, but you do. Would they benefit from reading The Cure for Fear today?
Also, if you haven’t subscribed, do so. And if you need prayer, fill the form out, and I’ll pray for you. That is what My Heart’s Cry is all about, prayer. -Kim