Seeing the things that “Christians” in America seem most passionate about, one would think God had told His followers to, “Be afraid! Be very afraid!”
But this is the opposite of what God tells His children. Some people say there are 365 Bible verses telling people not to be afraid. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know there are a lot of scenarios in the Bible where God is, yet again, telling someone to “Fear not!” It’s as if we need constant reassurance. And clearly we do — refer back to my first point.
“Christians” are acting afraid.
Looking at their behavior and the things they ardently fight for:
They seem terrified of gayness. Are gay people going to “turn them or their children gay” somehow? (I don’t understand and am only guessing.)
They seem scared of women. Are women somehow going to steal the power of men and upset the whole balance of nature? (Again, I don’t understand and am only guessing.)
They seem afraid of minorities. Are they worried that they will somehow lose the culture and traditions they are familiar with and suddenly find themselves in the minority, subject to the same discrimination they have inflicted on others? (I don’t know.)
They seem absolutely distraught over immigrants. I really can’t even guess about this. Maybe they are just worried about resources and having to share? Or afraid of anyone speaking a language they don’t understand? Or just afraid of differentness and change?
They are horrified at the idea that gun use should be regulated. This is fear wrapped in fear. If we have gays and women and minorities and immigrants everywhere, we will certainly need our guns, right?
In general, they seem afraid of anyone different from themselves, any changes to the status quo, and anything that could potentially decrease their power.
All of this is so anti-Christian. It is diametrically opposite to everything that Jesus modeled and taught.
If I believe God is who He says He is — the Creator of everything and the ultimate power over everything — I don’t need to be afraid of anything. God can handle it. If someone new comes into my life, my job is to see how I can love them, not how to protect myself from them. If society is changing around me, I don’t need to fear it. The world is constantly changing. My goals and values can remain the same without fear of what others are doing. Again, my goals and values are to love. God will take care of anything else that needs taking care of.
I can fight against evil without fearing it. But I need to use that spirit of “sound judgment” so I know how God defines evil, and the spirit of “love” so I know how God wants me to fight it.
Evil is not anything that is simply different from me. Evil is not just something I don’t understand that makes me uncomfortable. Evil is hate and deceit and selfishness and the absence of goodness and love.
To fight evil, I cannot use more evil. I can only win with love.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving me a spirit of power, love, and sound judgment. Forgive me for letting fear make any of my decisions or dictate any of my actions. Fill me again today with your Spirit so I can cast all my fears away. I know with you, there is never anything to worry about. My job is simple to love.
CamDevo 