Are You Afraid of the Dark?
If you are a millennial, that phrase may spark a childhood memory of a television show on Nickelodeon. For others, you may read that question and acknowledge that yes, you are, in fact, afraid of the dark. Others may kick back and think - naw, not me.
This boils down to one word - FEAR. Fear is described by Merriam Webster as “an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger” or “anxious concern.” I believe that what most of us deal with today isn’t the anticipation of danger, but more of the anxious concern. We live in a time when we find ourselves continually asking “What if…”. We then experience anxious concern or fear.
But, let’s look at the third meaning that Merriam Webster gives us for fear. Fear is “profound reverence and awe especially toward God.”
Same word, two completely different outlooks. Having strong emotions of danger and/or having anxious concern, or… having a profound reverence and awe of our LORD.
As I write this, I know that I would rather be dependent on God, having reverence and awe of Him, than placing my trust in myself and continually asking “What if…” questions and sit in anxious concern. In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. (Psalm 25:1)
Regardless what we are are fearful over - our finances, our careers, our families - the LORD is always with us. He tells us “…do not fear, for I am with you…” (Isaiah 41:10) God does not simply command us to not be afraid or be fearful, He already knows that we will be. We don’t have to fear, BECAUSE HE IS WITH US.
References
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Fear definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fear
