Freedom from Fear

Scripture is filled with admonitions against fear. Psalm 112:7, one of my favorites, says, [the righteous] "will not fear evil tidings. . ." Evil tidings is another way of saying "bad news." Believers should not fear what they hear and will not if they walk in obedience.

"The Message" translation of Psalm 112:4-9 says it this way, "Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people -- God's grace and mercy and justice! The good person is generous and lends lavishly . . . . Unfazed by rumor and gossip, heart ready, trusting in God, Spirit firm, unperturbed, ever blessed, relaxed among enemies, they lavish gifts on the poor -- a generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life!"

When we place our trust in God and live unselfish lives, free of pettiness, we have no reason to fear rumors, bad news or even our enemies. God is gracious, merciful and just. When we are in constant fear and impart that fear to others, I believe that is one way we cause grief to his Spirit, because, in effect, we are saying we don't trust him to take care of us. (Ephesians 4:29-30, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God . . .")

The verses from Psalm 112 show an important connection between giving, steadfast trust and living a blessed, happy life. Unchecked fear becomes all-consuming, stealing not only opportunities to be joyful and generous day to day, but robbing our hope for the future as well. The easiest way to not be afraid of what we hear and read is to stop seeking out and concentrating on rumors and bad news. We also need to quit repeating "evil tidings." Even if some ugly thing we hear happens to have a grain of truth to it, if it does not serve to edify, there is nothing to be gained by sharing it with others.

Life is too short to spend it being agitated and upset, always thinking the worst is about to happen and disaster is around every corner. And simply put, Christians should not live that way because there is a greater hope residing in us; to thrive on distressing thoughts is to walk in disobedience.

Let's allow the "sunrise to break through the darkness" and live beautiful lives, free of fear.