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The seasons are changing, the nights are getting longer, and pumpkins, fall and Halloween approaches.
And in this time, people like to watch scary movies, go to haunted houses, or be tricked into feeling afraid.
Not me – that’s a negative, Ghost Rider.
There’s actual footage of me crying my eyes out as a six-year-old having to endure a haunted rollercoaster ride at Shady Shores Park in Texas.
It has been over 15 years, but I still remember being on that ride with my older brother, clutching his arm, closing my eyes and hating every second of the “scary” ride as fake ghosts and the like popped out of nowhere. And then, right when I thought it was over, a man with a wolf mask jumped out at the end and I lost it. Of course, my dad and brother had a good laugh at my emotions, but ever since that day I’ve despised any kind of haunted houses or even “scary movies”.
I still don’t understand why people enjoy being afraid – or perhaps it’s thrilling because it’s not one of their true fears and “There’s nothing really to be afraid of”?
What are you afraid of?
As a kid, it seems easier to peg down fears: the dark, having a nightmare, getting separated from parents, etc.
As an adult, sometimes it’s more difficult to discern because we have learned to “be tough” and, sometimes rather wrongly, that vulnerability is a weakness.
But, if we discover what we are afraid of, we can find ways to cancel out that fear and live boldly.
As a child, when I was afraid of the dark, what was the solution? A night-light.
A little light would eradicate the darkness just enough for me to feel safe from whatever was hiding under my bed. However, I don’t have to use a night light anymore because one day, I discovered my room in the dark was the same room in the light, and there was nothing for me to be afraid of.
So what are my fears now?
#1 I fear failure and living a life that doesn’t measure up to my full potential – but the truth is, if I am drawing close to God, I can’t fail because he will never fail me (Joshua 21:45). And even if I “lose” a battle, there is probably a lesson to be learned, and in the end, I know my God will win the war.
#2 I fear the unknown because I feel out of control – when really I’m never in control in the first place!
#3 I fear not being self-sufficient and being co-dependent. This is a trust, worry, and pride issue. I want to be independent, so I only have to rely on myself. But in marriage and life I have to learn to rely on other people and to rely on God.
#4 I fear not being enough for God or for people. Here I have to remember God loves me and died for me so I can live for him and have a deep personal relationship with him.
And those are just a few of my fears.
But because I’m honest with myself, I can pray through these things and notice my own red flags of fear and have Bible verses or truths at the ready for when they beleaguer my spirit.
One of my favorites is Isaiah 41:10, which says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
God doesn’t want us to live in fear – but in confident hope (Romans 12:12).
Christ is our hope.
He promises that one day there will be no more suffering or pain or heartache, and that we will be eternally home (Revelation 21:4).
Do you share this hope?
Today, be honest about your fears.
Are you afraid of dying? Believers in Jesus Christ are given eternal life and a reason to not fear death: being united with our creator.
Are you afraid of being alone? Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit so every day in their Christian walk, they are not alone as the presence of the living God dwells in their hearts.
Are you afraid of losing wealth, friends, loved ones or other treasures for the price of following Christ? Jesus said whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever gives up their life for him and the gospel’s sake will save it. He said the entire world is worthless if you lose your soul. And in the end, the kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price or a treasure found in a field that people are willing to give up everything to have.
Are you afraid you have done too many bad things and that God can’t love and accept you? Hear me now: God cared so much for you that he gave up his own life so you may live with him and share in the goodness of his love.
He had a mission for the murderer, Paul, who wrote half of the New Testament.
He had a purpose for Moses, who was a hot-headed killer.
He called out Abraham, who was a liar.
He loved David, who was an adulterer.
He used Rahab, who was a prostitute but whose descendant would be Jesus himself.
Cast your burdens on him now, repent, and he will make you clean and white as snow. No one comes to God perfect – we are all sinners in need of the Savior.
What are you afraid of? Perhaps it is the scary movies and the haunted houses; I know those are still technically on my list.
In this “scary” season, let us think about what truly scares us, why, and how we can find peace in the presence of God and in his Word.
In love and truth,
Melody
Copyright © 2020 by Melody Turner @ https://mxtv.org/falling-out-of-fear/. Used with permission. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.