“Who me? Afraid?” #3

When I was growing up, we had a man across the street who became the centerpiece of many childhood stories.  Built like Barney Fife, he was a security guard.  His voice was loud and his words profane.  He threatened more than one neighbor.  "Big Al" had lots of bluster and volume.  Yet, it was apparent that much of his behavior was rooted in fear and a strong sense of inadequacy.

How is your fear expressed?  Boasting?  Threatening people?  Protecting your insecurities?  This kind of "loud" fear is characteristic of many people.  However, there are many more people who live with a "quiet" fear.  This fear may come out in a quieter, less noticeable way, such as a feeling of weakness.
 

Maybe you generally have a strong resolve.  You get it done!  You have energy, determination and grit.  Yet, now you can hardly muster the strength to get through the day, much less get a lot accomplished.  You feel weak.

Maybe you wonder how much longer you can hold up under all that has to be done.  You have so many responsibilities.  Others are depending on you.  Yet, you are tired of trying to keep up with it all.  You feel weak.

Maybe you get tired at times of trying to live right.  There are times when you would like to throw caution to the wind and just let yourself go.  You find yourself fantasizing about things you know you shouldn’t be entertaining.  You are so thankful that your sinful temptations have not met up with live opportunities for sin.  You feel weak.

Maybe you don’t feel good about your life right now on a number of fronts.  Your successes seem to whisper while your inadequacies seem to shout.  You are overwhelmed at times by the areas in your life that seem lacking in some way.  You feel weak.   

Meanwhile, you come across a wonderful passage of Scripture, Hebrews 13:5-6:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,  "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So we say with confidence,  "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?"

I have found great comfort in this promise from God.  Through his Spirit within me, I experience his forever presence.  He promises to never leave me or forsake me.  Doesn’t that sound good?   His forever presence has really given me hope and confidence on days when I am discouraged.  His forever presence has given me strength on days that feel "blah." 

"Who me?  Afraid?"  At times– yes.  But–I am learning that I don’t have to  let my fear rob me of the blessing and certainty of his forever presence.