SALT & SONSHINE
By: Pastor/Teacher James R. Paxton
FEAR
Fear can be a terrible emotion. Sometimes it
cause a person to panic or even paralyzed with apprehension.
Instead of resisting or fighting some simply yield and accept the
report even though it may not be true. Emotions are pushed to the
extreme and may even cause serious health issues to arise.
Fear can be a warning for you to prepare and
resist and be ready to face the potential danger. Corona virus
is a good example. It should help us to prepare ourselves so
that we keep to a minimum the possibility of exposure. It
should be an alert mechanism of self preservation.
Another example of fear is that of
electricity. That type of fear is just a respect of the power
of electricity. Electricity is a necessity in our day and
demands our respect but if properly handled it is not to be
feared. Fire is another possibility of fear or danger.
Fire can keep you alive or it can burn your house down.
Although we fear its potential we welcome its usefulness.
So, fear can be a good thing. Its warning should
be an alert to danger if not properly used or understood.
There is another fear that is extremely
important. It is the fear of the Lord.
God loves you and intends no harm for you.
It is a reverence and a respect of who God is. The fear of the
Lord is a recognition of God’s holiness and of His awesome
power. The fear of the Lord is an admiration and an
appreciation that God does not change and that He is not a respecter
of persons. He is who the Word declares that He is and will do
what He says He will do. To disobey Him is to possibly place
in harms way. If we choose to ignore or disobey God’s word,
then, we may face consequences we don’t want. Pr 9:10 The fear
of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the
holy is understanding. Pr 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a
fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. God is
love but that love does not keep Him from passing judgment when
warranted. Remember, God is God and He only wants what is best
for you. If you have sinned or come short of who He has called
you to be, don’t run from Him, run to Him for He will forgive and He
will restore and He wants to bless you.
Maranatha!