Handling Fear in the Face of Oppression

What is fear? Webster’s says it is “A feeling of disquiet or apprehension.” I kind of think of it as an irrational feeling or emotion of anxiety or dread. So what do you fear? I fear money. I don’t worship money, I don’t covet money, I fear it. And sometimes, especially days like today, I fear money more than I fear God. It seems over powering and dreadful. I understand well why people feel so desperate over something so trivial.

God is working with me in his area, and is certainly teaching me some valuable lessons. I have been concentrating on Him, instead of the worry. There is precedent for this. The writer of the book of Hebrews said this… “Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 (HCSB)

Amen. What can man do to me? Despite my fear, I will trust God and move forward. This too shall pass. I am reminded of the story of a ship at sea that was dilapidated. The crew came to the captain and asked him about their fate. The captain said, “Well the ship is taking on water, so we may sink. And the boilers are old and decrepit, and they may blow. But whether we go up, or whether we go down, one thing is for sure, we are going on.” I may be rich, or I may be poor, but I am going on.

Do you know the difference between contentment and discontentment . Discontentment is a disease, and it takes away your joy and it takes away your peace. And what is contentment? Contentment is not getting what you want, but it is wanting what you already have. I think I’ll try being content.