Fear? Fear Not? What should we fear?

It can be confusing. Actually confusion tends to be a continual state with me. I can go round and round and confuse myself with just about anything. I ask too many questions, instead of just listening and beleiving....TRUSTING!

But really, doesn't the bible say to not fear? We are supposed to put our trust in God and Jesus and they will take care of the rest (Matthew 6:25-34). "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life...look at the birds of the air...and the lilies of the field...will he (God)not much more clothe (and feed) you O men of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?', or 'What shall we drink?', or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be yours as well. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day."

But on the same hand, there are even more verses that deal with the fact that we should fear God. (Proverbs 9:10) "The fear of the Lord is the beginnig of wisdom." (Proverbs 19:23) "The fear of the Lord leads to life". So is fear good or bad? should we fear or should we not fear?

I think the question is not IF we should fear, but WHAT we should fear. Fear is a response in nature, given to us by God. It serves a function to protect us. But we should be careful about how we let it lead us. It is a warning for us to stop and prayerfully take a look at our life, our circumstances...is this thing healthy for me? Is it dangerous? Use it with wisdom. We should not fear the world or worry about our provisions. This does not mean we don't work. But God will provide through us.

Rather we should fear God and worry about whether we are pleasing him, seeking him...or are we being led astray, hardening our hearts to him? I like this next verse and find it very helpful. (Luke 12:4-12) "I tell you, my frieds, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear; fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. And I tell you everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men wil be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

Aaahh. We can relax. We don't have to worry and agonize over every little thing in this life. We just need to keep it simple and fear God (worry/concentrate on following him) and not Man or the things of this Life. If we fear God (By this I mean having a healthy respect for him and his authority over us) then we need not fear anything else. How freeing is that!!!

Not only is it freeing, it opens us up to more of his work in our life. If we wonder (which I admit I do often since I obviously struggle with this) why I don't seem to hear God's voice or sense his leading in my life, then I need to look at simplifying my life. Everytime I falter in my walk it is because I think I know more than God or Jesus. I do not seek them or let the Spirit guide me. My PRIDE is my downfall. Was this not the first origional deadly sin that led to Lucifers downfall and to Adam and Eve's...and on to all mankind's downfall? It destroys our relationship with God. It kicks our hineys and kicked us all out of paradise.

If we are humble and keep life simple, we will see God, hear him, and be able to follow and not be confused and distracted. Simpleness isn't a curse, but a gift. It keeps us in a right relationship with God. I work with kids with disabilities and if you notice those who seem to have a simpler mind (we tend to call "challenged"), they always seem to be happier and to see the truth more easily. They state the truth so well. I am always lifted by them and led back to God. We complicated, sophisticated ones are the cursed ones..."challenged" as we are by our distractions.

So don't worry about this life. Don't question, just concentrate on Him and what He has put before you. That is the simple path to victory.