Therefore, do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed in darkness that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the darkness speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very heads of your hairs are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:25-30 NASB

 

According to a report published by CBS Broadcasting in Philadelphia 76 per cent of Americans suffer from something dubbed as “Sunday Scaries” or “Sunday Night Blues”. In this study, they report that people have such a dread of returning to work on Monday that they exhibit physiological factors such as the release of adrenalin and cortisol. This could be because 70 per cent of American’s report that they hate their job. I have worked in jobs that I literally dreaded going to on Monday or any other day for that matter.

According to a report recently released by the American Psychological Association 75 percent of Americans suffer from a moderate to high level of stress. Stress is defined as a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. Anxiety is defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

We worry about our future, we have no idea what our future holds. We worry about stress that comes from our jobs, our family, our finances. This worry can easily turn into fear which leads to stress and anxiety.

Now these reports listed natural remedies for dealing with stress which include diet and exercise. But, as Christians, we know the best cure for anxiety and stress. Our scripture passage tells us not to misplace our fear. Why fear those that cannot kill the soul? If we have a healthy fear of our Lord and Savior, then we will live with discipline and self control. We will live in a way that pleases Him and this will go a long way to reduce our anxiety.

I look back on the many times that I was consumed by fear and drowning in anxiety. But, God pulled me through. I look back at how much easier those times were when I was in close relationship with Him. When I have trusted in Him, He has always come through for me. Things may not have worked out exactly as I had hoped, but they worked out for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28-30).

Just yesterday, I was speaking with a relative who is also a dear friend. We were talking about the days of our youth, where we feared our parents. Not that “shaking in your boots” kind of fear like you might experience at a scary movie, but that reverential fear where you respected their authority. This is the same kind of fear that we should have for our Lord and Savior. We should respect His authority. We should have a reverential awe of Him. We should trust in Him.

When we fear the things of this world, our fear is misplaced. We can become anxious. But when we fear the Lord, we trust in Him. We give it all over to Him.

If you read the headlines, there are plenty of things in this world to produce anxiety. But if you stay in God’s Word, you realize that all of these things were predicted centuries ago. This is just part of the process of the end times. This is part of God’s plan. If you read His Word, you will also see that those of us who love Him and fear Him, will be protected.

I ask you to take a minute today to think about what you truly fear. I hope that what you truly fear is God. By that I mean that I hope that you have a reverential awe for His majesty and power. I hope that you trust in Him. I hope that you love Him with your whole heart, mind, and soul. If this is the case, then you need not fear the things of this world. They will pass away, but the one who does the will of God will last forever (1 John 2:17, 1 Corinthians 7:31).

Have a great day!