Fear Factor (Amy Dresser)
Have you ever wondered why God gave us the ability to experience emotion? Obviously emotions can be a great “joy” (essential part of healthy human existence) to experience — or a great “sadness” (burden if left unchecked). Emotions can only be judged based on their source. Sadness can come from the spirit or the flesh. So can pleasure, joy, and fear. The Bible teaches that jealousy on one hand is bad – but then tells us to be jealous for the gifts of the Spirit. Why? Because jealousy in itself is not bad – unless the source is.
The word “fear” has gotten a bad wrap in recent years. But let’s think about all the ways fear actually helps us! We probably would all be dead if it weren’t for a healthy fear of: streets, cliffs, fires… the list could go on!
God is not schizophrenic when He says through Moses at the foot of Mt. Sinai, “Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.”
And when He says through Jesus, “Don’t fear him who can kill the body, but I will tell you whom you should fear: Fear Him who can throw the soul and body into hell! Yes, I tell you, Fear Him! Do not be afraid little flock, for the Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom.”
The Fear of the Lord and the Comfort of the Holy Spirit go hand in hand. They cannot be separated.
I have found much value in considering, each step of my day: which of these do I need to stay on the path of Life? Fear or Comfort. There are moments where the fear of the Lord steps in and separates me from sin in a big way. There are other moments where His comfort draws near and wraps me into Love – which also works to separate me from sin. We must become experts at the state of our souls and practice excellent “soul care.” We have to find Him!
Isaiah 8: [11] For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: [12] “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. [13] But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. [14] And he will become a sanctuary — but a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. [15] And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”
He is to many “a stone of offense and stumbling.” But to us: may He be our Fear and become our Sanctuary!