Fear

What are you afraid of?  The unknown?  Change?  Insecurity?  How others think of you?  Disappointment?  Failing?

The list could go on forever.  Logically, as a human being, there are so many things in this world to be afraid of.  However, if you are a Christian we are called to live without fear.  I would like to say up front that I am going to be pretty bold in this post.  I am not suggesting that we make unwise decisions to put ourselves in harm's way.  I read the Proverbs and I value wisdom.  In 1 John 4:18 God tells us that "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."  Earlier in the same book it says that "God is love," so if we are with God there is no fear.  A simple A=B, B=C, so A=C.  Take a minute just to think about that.  How different would your life be if you didn't make any decisions based on fear?

In my time in El Salvador I saw fear manifest itself in many different ways.  There is a huge gang culture there and many people are victims of extortion, violent crimes, and even murder.  The average person lives in a constant state of fear of going out alone, being seen with money, being seen with the wrong person, or even just walking down the wrong street.  I saw this come out in so many ways.  Practically, I was not allowed to go anywhere by myself at any time.  I had a chaperone at all times.  I have been told not to talk to anyone I do not know, to guard my things, and to be very vigilant.  These are not inherently bad things.  I think they are wise things.  However, I can't shake off the brave lifestyle God tells us to live in verses like Deuteronomy 31:8, "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."  When I read something like this I can't help but laugh at the idea of being scared of anything.  If the God who created the entire universe and everything in it is on my side and fighting for me, what do I have to fear?

In a quick search I found so many verses that tell us not to fear:

• Deuteronomy 3:22 You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.
• Don't fear people.

• Genesis 15:1 [ God's Covenant with Abram ] After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."
• Don't fear the uncertainty of the future.
   
• Genesis 26:24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham's sake.
• Don't fear for your family or your well being.

• Exodus 14:13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 
• Don't fear your enemies or opposition.

It seems like God wants us to stare fear in the face and choose to continue to stare for the sake of his glory.  He tells the Israelites to face their enemies and not to fear because he is fighting for them.  It is not easy to face your enemies.  They were not just risking looking bad or having a tight budget for a while, they were risking death and destruction.  They were at a point of desperation and they had the option to run away scared in self-preservation, or to take a radical step of faith and trust that the Lord would keep his promise to fight for them and to rescue them.  And God proved faithful over and over again.  When you come to this place what do you choose?  Fear and self-preservation, or faith?

I am not trying to shame anyone, I am simply trying to provoke some thought.  I am not going to pretend I choose faith every time, or even most of the time.  I am a human.  I get scared and sometimes I don't believe that God cares and wants to fight for me, but that doesn't change the fact that he does and he will.  I long to see the culture in El Salvador radically change and the fear to cease.  I want to see people boldly step out in faith and believe that God will protect them, and that even if he doesn't and something horrible happens, they will be rewarded in Heaven for their faith.   I want to be a people that goes into known gang areas and loves like crazy, sharing the gospel, making friends, and just loving people.  The Bible says that people will recognize Christians by their love.  Christ is the ultimate example.  He did nothing out of self-preservation.  He hung out with the people no one even wanted to be seen with, he touched the infected people that no one would even look at, and he defied the authorities that no one else would, he went to the cross to die a horrible death he never deserved.  If we are to follow his example we need to get our hands dirty and show the world that we are not afraid to be associated with the murderers, the sick, the losers, because God's glory is more important than our image, and if in the end it costs us everything, even our lives, we will rejoice in the sacrifice.  Again, I'm not trying to say everyone should be striving to be a martyr, that is not my intent, but I think simply looking inside ourselves and honestly asking what our priorities are is a huge step.

Is saving face more important than loving people?  Do you just show up at church on Sunday and only hangout with other Christians because you are afraid of what it might look like if you're seen with a "questionable character," or in a sketchy place?  What have you risked lately to love someone?  Did it cost you anything?

All just food for thought.

Standing in awe of the potential of a fear free life,

Sigourney