FROZEN WITH FEAR

read matthew 8:14-34

ANDY WILL NOT TRAVEL BY AIRPLANE BECAUSE OF HIS FEAR OF FLYING. JILL TAKES A SEDATIVE TO DEAL WITH HER FEAR OF THE DENTIST'S DRILL. WHETHER REAL OR IMAGINED, FEAR CAN CONTROL AND UNDERMINE OUR LIVES.

JESUS REBUKED HIS DISCIPLES FOR FEARING THE STORM.

"YOU OF LITTLE FAITH, WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID?"(MATTHEW 8:26)

IF WE BELIEVE GOD IS IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS, THEN WE MUST BELIEVE HE KNOWS WHAT IS COMING INTO OUR LIVES--EVEN THE HARSH THINGS. IF WE TRY TO SHELTER OURSELVES FROM FEAR, WE WILL BE AFRAID TO STEP OURSIDE OF OUR HOMES. EVEN THAT PERCEIVED SAFETY CAN BE THREATENED WITHOUT WARNING BY INTRUDERS SUCH AS FIRE, EARTHQUAKE, TORNADO, OR FLOOD.

OUR SAVIOR WANTS US TO FOLLOW WHERE HE LEADS, WITH HEARTS ON FIRE FOR HIM. HE DOES'NT WANT OUR LIVES FROZEN WITH FEAR. HE TELLS US THERE WILL BE TROUBLE, BUT TO TAKE HEART BECAUSE HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US ALONE. THE ANTIDOTE FOR FEAR IS TO HAVE FAITH IN THE GOD WHO LOVES AND SAVES HIS CHILDREN FROM ETERNAL DEATH.

CHALLENGE FOR TODAY: LIVE IN THE CONFIDENCE OF GOD'S PRESENCE, FREE FROM FEAR.