FREE FROM FEAR

Proverbs 3:19-26
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding He set the heavens in place; 20 by His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

I am walking on a wire.
I tiptoe in through the fire.
Never looking down to see that
I am walking on a wire.
The pressure's getting higher.
But I don't look around.
It's so far to the ground.
("Wire," words by Mark Lee/music by Third Day, 2004 Consuming Fire Music.)

I can identify with the lyrics from this song by Third Day. They capture that dreaded feeling that sweeps over us when we become so focused on performance that it leads to fear.

"What if I don't get that project done on time?" "What if I fail this test?" "What if people see I'm really not that capable after all?" "What if . . . " You get the point.

In a culture that's obsessed with being the best (see American Idol or Survivor), it's easy to believe that you're only as good as your last job review from your boss or grade from your prof. But that's a lie.

God never wanted us to perform for Him out of fear. He wants us to live for Him in true freedom.

Solomon captured that inspiring truth in Proverbs 3. He wrote of God who "laid the earth's foundations" and "set the heavens in place" (v.19). We can have the confidence that this great God has the power to control all things--and He loves and protects us by His divine strength!

By following His wisdom, the wise king wrote, "You will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble" (v.23). What's more, we can take his advice: "Have no fear," and rest in the fact that "the Lord will be [our] confidence" (vv.25-26).

This perfect prescription for being freed from the fear that comes from living in performance mode requires two things: acknowledging God as our ultimate source of strength and choosing His wisdom over our own ways.
In that place, freedom is found and we no longer fear falling off that wire. --Tom Felten

DESTINATION POINTS

* How have I been living fearfully in performance mode?
* What other Scriptures tell me that God doesn't want me to walk in fear?

LINKS:
When Fear Seems Overwhelming: Finding Courage & Hope

bottom line: God grants freedom to those who live by faith.

soul journey