Tonight's Blog for Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Tonight I am thinking about fear. Fear doesn't make cowards out of people who aren't already fearful. We are who

we are, and our lives show if we are brave or not by the ways we react to external circumstances. I started a support group in Alton, and had 13 people show up for the first "session." The rules were very simple. You had to be honest. You had to be hurting in some area, either spiritual or physical or emotional, but it had to be very real to you. The third criteria for being a part of our group was that you had to keep you yapper shut. What was said in the room had to stay there. There is safety in silence. Trust can grow when we prove to people of integrity. 

We also made a promise to each other. Sure we would need to meet, and to pray for each other, and to memorize one verse of the bible each week. The scriptures were carefully chosen to deal with fear. I wrote the verses down, and read them as I drove, or as I was waiting for people or as I was watching the Cubs (yes, while in St. Louis area, I still rooted for the Cubbies and yes, they made me need a support group!). Here are a few other fears that I thought about then. 

(1) Fear of the future, the great unknown. (2)Fear of failure, Why try, if you know you will fail? (3) Fear of finances, It isn't just about money, is it? (4)Fear of friends, peer pressure is surely still very powerful? (5) Fear of fun, yes it is possible to see even fun as a dangerous or silly waste of time and energy. Since it was the year before the "Y2K" fiasco, many of us were at a little alarmed if not consumed with fear. Would things crash, would it be the end of the world? I sat up that night and played cards, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

 Anyway, here are a few of the verses. Tonight you might spend a few moments reading them, and think about your areas of fear. Every day, in each area of life, it is still important to deal with your fears! 

Psalms 56:3-4, "When I am afraid, I will trust in YOU, IN GOD, whose word I praise… IN GOD I TRUST, I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"

1 John 4:4, "You, dear children are from GOD, and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

Tonight, I want to add a new one from 1 Peter 1:17, "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." This verse from the Apostle seems to contradict the others. I included it because we live in dangerous times and many deal with fear on a daily basis. Reverential fear is a part of normal protection and often helps us to be aware of dangers. When we are aware, we can prepare. 

GOD prepare your people, tonight, for anything we may face tomorrow. Protect our children, Father. Your love keeps us safe. GOD, Bless us tonight, big marv