Fear can be quite paralyzing. It can have us in a position where our feet are wrapped by the arms of quicksand slowly pulling us down. Our screams and cries can be muted and unheard by human ears in the silence of darkness. Breath, life, and our thoughts seem to exit stage left as our emotions and feelings arise, bringing us to a place of anxiety.
Fear affects the entire body, internally and externally. Sometimes we even fear the possibility of fighting to live; in moments where experiences feel like we are near death or really there, can end up taking away our will to live. Let us just say that fear is truly powerful, but no one-and nothing-is greater than God. Many times we place our fears above Him.
About a week or two ago, I woke up, or maybe I should say jumped up, at about five o'clock in the morning unable to breathe. It was as if someone put a long cork in my throat and it cut off my ability to cough, choke, or call out for help. I really panicked. I threw off my bed covers, knocked over things and stumbled into the hallway of my apartment. All I could think was, "It is not going down like this." I pushed myself to my roommates door but I was very weak, so I was unable to open it. By the time I found the strength to open the door it felt like someone took their fingernails and clawed down my throat. It was painful but I was finally able to cough and then breathe. I backed up and went into the bathroom bent over, breathing heavy, sweating, and let's just say my bodily functions were out of order.
Something like this has happened to me before but not to this degree. I was really scared for my life and I could only imagine the lives lost because they choked or were unable to breathe. It was the worst feeling and definitely one you would never want anyone to experience, amongst other things. After that I just got down on the ground and prayed because I was so afraid to go back to sleep, but eventually I did.
I must admit that a lot of my fears have kept me stagnant, but I thank God for pushing me forward.
Fears can keep us isolated, alone, and from some of the greatest promises and blessings that God wants to give us. The only thing we should truly fear is a life without God; that is something to be afraid of.
There are many hurtful things that happen in this world, but our hope can not be in people or what happens, but in Jesus and the life we have in Him. He is our saving grace and our help. There are some things we will not be able to avoid in this world.
We put so much hope in our bodies that when something happens, we are looking for the Lord to feed what shall one day pass away. We need to be looking forward to being regenerated, nourished, and redeemed through Christ. This is where life begins.
Having a moment where you realize how precious your life is makes you also understand that one day you will lose it. Now listen, I am not trying to put a damper on your day but if anything, I am saying, stop holding so tightly to your life that you fear living the life and reason that Christ has placed you here. Think of it this way, when we give our lives to Christ, it is only the beginning because one day we will get to be with our Savior.
I will leave you with Psalm 91 because it is such a powerful message on how and what the Lord covers and keeps us through:
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most
High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My
refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from
the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with
his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a
shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow
that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the
destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten
thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look
with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the
Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be
allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his
angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will
bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the
lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him,
because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with
him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy
him and show him my salvation,” (Psalm 91:1-16 English Standard
Version).
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