This week’s Wednesday Work Blog speaks to fear being a liar.
Hump Day falls to us in the middle of the week. Some weeks we find quite a hump to climb. It can be the same in life with the various storms that come over us. And they’re much like storms of weather. Some are raging storms to navigate through and others are milder in form. Christ said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He knew the tribulations of this world and spoke words to prepare and help us. Unlike the enemy who speaks to kill, steal and destroy.
The following is from a song that’s quickly becoming a favorite song.
“Fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
‘Cause fear he is a liar”
Fear is a liar. We all have expectations. We shouldn’t but we do. Christ says to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself and that each day has enough trouble of its own. Yet we find we tend to worry. Why?
We persevere and strive with our expectations. And eventually we experience some sort of loss. Then along comes fear whispering thoughts to produce anxieties. We begin to worry over expectations we’re striving over. Then fear brings along his friends. They show up in forms of depression, greed, anger, control, manipulation etc. and they each have their own forms of lies.
Here, right here, is where we need to stop and remember our identity in Christ. In other words, we need to remember who we are in Christ… who it is we belong to. And we’d do well to turn our eyes to God from where our help comes. God tells us to frisk our thoughts. (2 Corinthians 10:5) We’re to dwell on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy we are to think about such things. (Philippians 4:8).
I have a dear friend who recently lost her son to suicide. It is so tragic.
His mother spoke of him saying, “He was strikingly handsome and in his freshman year of college. He experienced a breakup with a girl he deeply loved. He talked with his family daily and said he was fine. He came home daily with excitement and love of the university life. One day he received word that she was dating someone else and he took his own life. He left notes of feeling heartbroken, lonely, angry and betrayed.
He loved the Lord and took up for kids who were bullied. He was loved by his high school friends, teachers and professors. He had a beautiful smile and was a cut-up. He helped his friends get off drugs.” His family desperately misses him.
He would’ve loved again. We all know he would have. Fear came and screamed its terrible lies. Oh friends, please, please, please, know the truth. Cling to God in times of troubles. He holds you, never letting you go. He goes through your trials with you. This world is not our home, we’re on the journey to our forever home.
Fear is a liar. It lies. Do not listen to the lies. Remember to frisk your thoughts and dwell on the truths of God. I’ve pasted the lyrics of the song, Fear Is a Liar. Oh I pray that you read it and remember not to believe its lies!
A great read on your identity in Christ is Neil Anderson’s book, Freedom in Christ.
Fear Is a Liar
When he told you you’re not good enough
When he told you you’re not right
When he told you you’re not strong enough
To put up a good fight
When he told you you’re not worthy
When he told you you’re not loved
When he told you you’re not beautiful
That you’ll never be enough
Fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
‘Cause fear he is a liar
When he told you were troubled
You’ll forever be alone
When he told you you should run away
You’ll never find a home
When he told you you were dirty
And you should be ashamed
When he told you you could be the one
That grace could never change
Fear he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear he…