God has given us wisdom to know when we should not engage in risky behavior. When pondering hiking a trail, I take into consideration the danger involved. Based upon the degree of difficulty, my physical abilities, and a little bit of good sense, I decide whether or not I should trek that trail. OH, for sure, when I decline a trail and all the others come back unscathed and proclaiming the wonders of what I missed, I am distressed. BUT, I also know you should always listen to your inner voice of reason and good judgment. JUST BECAUSE the others made the trail with no problem, does not mean I would have. I was not operating out of fear, but instead was relying upon wisdom.
FEAR--is another thing altogether. I find myself occasionally fearful over my future. The "What If's" invade my thoughts. What if I need constant care, what if the economy fails, what if I break a bone~~~ I can take off down that rabbit trail and end up in the briar patch before you can blink an eye. I am fearful over something I have little or absolutely NO control over. THAT is when fear is an issue. The enemy has crept in and pushed my buttons--KNOWING all those things which will cause me anxiety. NOW--WHO am I going to listen to in this scenario~ The old sneaky deceiver or the Truth God has given us. This is when fear becomes the ruler of our lives and takes our minds away from those things of eternal importance.
HERE is the truth--God intends for us to live in peace because of the truth of His promises. "Peace does not refer to the absence of chaos, but rather to an overall, deeply entrenched sense of harmony, health, and wholeness in the midst of chaos." Priscilla Shirer God's promises are the foundation which crumble the high wall of What If's. We know the plans He has for us--so let's live without fear and in the certainty of hope.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
II Timothy 1:7
Those "What ifs" are pesky and unnecessary thoughts, aren't they? If we let them worm their way into our minds, we will continue to live life fearfully instead of fully, and God wishes for us. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. I'll take His peace any day of the week!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Lulu!