fear.

i had the opportunity on monday night to lead the devotion at our chapter meeting. (maybe you can find it on youtube if you're really interested. ha! thank you, roommate.) i really miss serving in that role each week. i pray that somewhere in my future God will let me share and teach His Word like that on a normal basis.

my thoughts monday night were mostly about what we fear in this life and what it is to trust God in and through those fears. maybe a little easier said than done sometimes?

last night a freshman girl was killed here in auburn. (more info at http://ocm.auburn.edu/news/alerts.html). needless to say, that has been the topic of every conversation in auburn today, and the story has even spread to news stations across the country. while it's necessary to be aware and cautious, many have instead become nervous and fearful. surely there's a balance.

it's interesting how easily we can be swayed by the spirit of fear. we fear being alone. we fear loss and death. we fear being left out. we fear change. we fear the uncertain and the unknown. (maybe "we" should be "i"?!)

how good are paul's words in 2 timothy 1.7-8?

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord..."

what if we truly lived in the spirit that has been given to us rather than the spirit that has so easily enticed and deceived us?

"even though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (psalm 23.4).

thank you, david, for using the preposition "through"! the scary, evil things of this world are not the end. how beautiful that merely the Shepherd's presence was reason enough not to fear--oh to know that comfort and intimacy with the Good Shepherd's presence!

there is much fear in this world, and even in my life. fear grips me if i think too far into the future, especially in terms of experiencing life without my dad. i get anxious thinking about my brother getting married and my family having a new addition. graduation and future plans are exciting but nerve-wracking at the same time.

i have to believe and praise God that He is love, and that "there is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 john 4.18).