Whom Shall I Fear?

Image by George Eastman House via Flickr

“Whom shall I fear?” By Diane Webb

Psalms 27: 1—“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Are there people in your life you are afraid of?  Are you easily intimidated?  Do you get uneasy when you may have offended someone?   Are you are afraid to speak up?  How many times have you said, “I am afraid of what they might do”?  Some fear is intentionally created by others such as when a supervisor drops hints about wide-spread lay-offs.  Other fear comes from inside like “I hope they aren’t mad at me”.  Second guessing yourself is fear.  Doubt is fear.  Worry is fear.  Why are other people’s opinions so important to us?  Where did this come from?  David, in Psalms 27:  1 says there is no one to fear.  Look to God to light the darkness and to find hope.  Look to God to find strength.  When you are focused on God and put your trust in Him there is no need to fear.  When you need strength to face fears or people who intimidate, manipulate, or threaten you; look to God again.  Seriously--with God on your side who need be afraid of people?  Nothing can happen to you that God has not approved and will see you through.  He has plans for you and your life.  Every person he allows into your life is there for one of two reasons—to help you learn a lesson or to learn a lesson from you.  As you face people; especially those who you are uncomfortable around; ask yourself “what am I supposed to be learning from this person?” If you don’t see the lesson, then ask “what is this person meant to be learning from me?”  There are no meaningless events in the Kingdom of God.  Even when we exercise free will we end up where God wants us sooner or later.  We may take the long path around—a detour—but everything we do has meaning.  Sometimes we have to take the classes several times before we learn the lesson.  This is because we are not looking to God to light the way.  We try to make it on our own in the dark; or perhaps we rely on our own strength then fail.  We still learn something from the experience.  Never underestimate the impact you may have on others even when you aren’t aware of it.  Have you ever had a person come in and out of your life so fast you wonder “what was that all about?”  Maybe that person had to learn something from you.  Years later you may find out how much their brief time around you meant to them.  Follow the light God has ahead of your path and rely on his strength and his strength alone.  You have nothing to fear. When things happen you can be sure it’s God’s will.  There is a greater purpose.  There was a lady who had a large fenced in yard with two dogs.  One day, as she was coming home from work the dogs got out as she was pulling her car through the gate.  As she witnessed both dogs bound off down the road in her rear view mirror she prayed, “Not my will but thine be done”.  One dog made it home and the other one did not.  She had peace in her heart because she truly believed it was in God’s hands and she trusted God knew what was best.  No, she did not understand it but one day she will.  Sitting around fretting over things and being afraid of other people or events is unnecessary.  God is your light, your hope, and your strength.  Trust the outcome to Him and have faith he knows what he is doing.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for all the many times you got me back on the right path.  I am sorry for being so hard-headed sometimes.  Please, Lord, help me see and follow your light; help me rely on your strength.  I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.