How can I Control my Fears?

The Lost Wallet

How many among us could declare what David believed: "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident." (Ps 27:3, NIV2)

As I write this devotional, many are concerned about the Ebola disease outbreak as it has not only hit West Africa, but the Western world as well. Many in the United States buy Clorox and Lysol in case of an epidemic of that dire disease, even though there is no proof that these products could even destroy the Ebola virus. In West Africa there is a black market for buying blood from people who supposedly overcame that disease. Fear runs quite rampant!

However, if David were in our shoes, he would still declare about such circumstances: "Even then I will be confident."

There are many fears out there that we face on a daily basis: heart disease, cancer, loss of a job, loss of someone important to you, pressure from work, finances . . . Nonetheless, David would declare: "The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps 27:1, NIV2)

Notice what David is trying to convey. As long as we focus on our Heavenly Father, our fears will evaporate into nothingness, for He is far bigger than all of our fears combined!

In fact David has but one purpose: "One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (Ps 27:4, NIV2) In other words, David wanted to have an intimate relationship with God above anything else, where he could savor the beauty of our Father. As his focus was geared on God, all his fears evaporated.

When we focus on our Father, our trust in Him multiplies exponentially: "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock." (Ps 27:5, NIV2)

Do we believe this, truly believe it?

After all, David knew what he was talking about. Early on, while herding his father's sheep, he faced wild animals. He then faced a monster of a giant who could have destroyed him just by clicking his fingers. He was persecuted by his king and father-in-law, whose purpose was to destroy him completely. His own son Absalom organized a coup against him. His life was filled with adversity, yet he still could confidently declare: "The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps 27:1, NIV2) David discovered the secret of how to obtain victory over his fears. David became invulnerable through his trust in his Father!

Even more so for us, who have experienced Jesus personally: "Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God-he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Heb 12:2-3, MSG) We simply have nothing to fear.

My oldest son, Donovan can vouch for this. Last year, near the end of August, he took the train to Toronto, where he got lost on his way to the bus terminal. He never panicked. He knew God would see him through. Using Google maps, I was able to direct him from home through his cell phone, and he was able to take the bus to the airport. The plan from there was for him to drive my wife's car the rest of the way home. She and our youngest son had flown to Edmonton two days earlier to help him get settled in seminary (talk about trying his wings!), and she left the car at the airport for Donovan.

Somehow, as Donovan got off the bus, he found himself without a wallet. As anyone knows, no one can retrieve a car from an airport parking lot without money. When he discovered he had no money and no credit card, he hoped that the person who found it would benefit from the money contained in it. He then took his cell phone and called my wife, passed the phone to the parking lot attendant, and she was able to pay for the parking by credit card over the phone.

Needless to say, Donovan got home quite late that night. He went straight to bed, never worrying about losing all his pertinent identification and credit cards. He knew that the next morning his earthly dad would help him take care of all those loose ends. Why fear the unknown when we can count on our Heavenly Father? All was taken care of without a hitch. My son's attitude showed he had complete confidence in his earthly parents, and especially in His Heavenly Father. Never did he fret about his lost wallet. He wished the best for the one who found it, and despite having to spend Saturday morning getting drivers' licenses and health cards, we still enjoyed our weekend together with no fear in the horizon.

We are truly blessed when we trust in our Heavenly Father!

Rob Chaffart

How can I Control my Fears?

Today's Bible Verse:

Announcement:

Privacy Policy: