When Fear Takes Hold

Our dog, Jack, is a sweet, affectionate boy, but if you’re wearing a hoodie, stay back. His hackles stand up and he adopts a guarded stance, ready for attack if needed. That being said, our sweet but protective dog grows fearful when hearing a noise he can’t identify. The other evening we were walking around the neighborhood when Jack stopped in his tracks. I could see a pencil of light shining from the edges of a closed garage door. Behind the door came the sound of someone using a drill. I knew it was all harmless; Jack did not. He started to turn around but I reached down and patted his head and stroked beneath his chin. ”It’s okay, Jack. We can go on.” He looked at me. As I began to move forward, he did, too. Passing the enemy garage all was suddenly well. He continued with his relaxed sniffing pursuits.

This is the same in our spiritual world, isn’t it. We are going in a direction we feel God is leading us to take, but wait, there is something we don’t understand. It’s dark ahead. We can’t see clearly. Our arch enemy, Satan, seizes the moment to whisper his fear laden taunts. “Must you go this way? Why walk on when another way may be better for you? Why walk in the dark when another path is better lit?” Satan’s scheming words are always, without exception, to make us doubt God. 

When fear sets in, that is the moment we must look up. Just as Jack looked to me, listened to me, and trusted me as we walked on together, it’s no different with us and our Heavenly Father. Look into His Word, meditate in His presence. Trust Him and walk on. I love the promise found in Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord is the One who goes ahead of you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Wherever He leads us, He gives us everything we need to walk in the way He chooses. We have His comfort, His peace, His strength, His courage, but — and this is the important part — the peace and courage comes with the first step. Standing and quaking in fear only grows more fear. Trusting and taking a step with Him leading the way, grows peace and joy.

May you blessed today with His joy and peace as you walk in the way He leads. The joy and peace is guaranteed because obedience always brings blessings; not some of the time but all of the time.