Fear is a powerful thing

Things seem pretty much normal now, maybe? But think back just three years ago. How was it then? Will it happen again? Almost certainly. Take a few moments to step back in time and remember and learn.

I am seeing it everywhere. Fear is driving people to do things they would never have considered just a few months ago. It has led to panic buying; to hiding away from friends and even family; to hoarding. It has led to even worse as some have sought solace in intoxicating substances or in food. They have found “comfort” in many things. Fear has led others to drastic actions resulting in death. Fear is a powerful thing, and anyone who has the desire to have power over others knows this. 

Where does fear come from? Why do we have such an emotion? Why can't we just live without being afraid of anything? Well, first, there is a healthy place for some types of fear. We should fear standing under a tree in a lightening storm. We should fear crossing a busy street without first ascertaining that it is safe to cross without being mowed down by an oncoming vehicle. We should fear the deep end of the pool if we don't know how to swim. We should fear getting into a vehicle with a driver who is intoxicated. Yes, there are healthy fears that are necessary to the safety of life and limb. 

Then there is the other fear. The unnecessary fear, the fear that often leads to worry or being scared. Like the phobias the so many of us deal with– heights, spiders, water, germs, cats, dogs, just about anything you can think of is someone's phobia. But I'm not thinking of that kind of fear. While phobias can be so powerful that they are crippling, they are personal to the individual. I am thinking of group fear, a common fear that engulfs entire populations of people— even entire nations. 

What would it take to put an entire nation into fear mode? What could make people become so caught in fright they would surrender even their personal freedoms to have safety? Even more concerning, why would anyone want to make people so fearful? To know that answer we must go back in history, far back in history. This history is found in the Bible and it starts with a mighty fallen angel once called Lucifer, now called Satan.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!… They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;  That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? Isaiah 14:12, 16, 17

This fallen angel is wicked, evil, murderous. He has no love, no kindness, no redeeming qualities. But he is not ignorant nor stupid and certainly not lazy. The Bible further describes him as a roaring lion going about looking for anyone he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). He has made the earth to tremble, destroyed cities, shaken kingdoms. Part of his modus operandi is to cause fear in people, and even nations. But we don't have to be afraid of him. We have this promise: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

Has fear overtaken you life? Is it dictating how you live? Has fear robbed you of joy and peace? God says, There is no fear in love, for God's perfect love casts out fear. When the things you are seeing and hearing all around you stir up the feelings of fear, when it seems there is nothing to hang onto, then grab God's promises. Let His strength become your strength. Here are two wonderful promises you can claim.

Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Isaiah 35:4

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10