Fear or Focus
My husband and I live with a little black pup. He’s a mixed breed rescue that looks like a small black lab. He only weighs 40 pounds. Polo has been a wonderful addition to our home. His energy and love for life brings us joy every day.
Polo is, however, very protective of his home turf. Caution is needed when he is introduced to guests to insure he does not nip them. Recently I watched him as he peered out our front door as a guest waited in her car in our driveway. He was barking and the hair on his back was raised which often happens when he’s fearful. I grabbed a couple treats and headed to the door.
I gently spoke his name. He turned and looked at me. He then saw the treat I was offering him and he quickly gobbled it up. He then changed his focus and turned back to the door to resume barking as fear set in again. This repeated several times. Then I noticed it and thought, “He’s just like us.”
What I realized was that each time he focused on me and took the treat I offered, the hair on his back dropped. Then as soon as he shifted his focus back to the door and the stranger in the driveway his fear returned. He again barked and the hair on his back went up.
Isn’t that like us? We have a fear, any fear, and our anxiety goes up but when we hear God’s voice and look to Him, He gives us assurances that all is ok. Our anxiety drops. Then as we shift our focus away from Him, back to our fear, we go right back to being anxious. If we would just keep our focus on Him…easier said then done!!!
God knows how difficult this is for us and did not skimp on addressing our fears. The words “fear not” or “do not be afraid” appear in the Bible 365 times. That’s one time for every day of the year excluding leap year!! Coincidence? I do not thing so.
You can find verse after verse in the Bible of God addressing the fears of His people. In so many situations God spoke to their fear telling them to not be afraid. These words are for us also.
One well known verse is found in Luke 2:10. This was the night that Christ was born and the angels spoke to the shepherds as they tended their sheep: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”
In another chapter of the Bible, we are assured that we have no need to fear anything: “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Jesus spoke these words many times and as He prepare His disciples for His departure He told them: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
How refreshing this is! How well God knows us!! The world inundates us with what appear to be reasons to be afraid and live in fear. God calls us to fully focus on Him and to not be afraid.
When you feel anxiety or fearful, listen for God to gently call your name. Then look to Him and soak in His goodness keeping your focus only on Him.
JW