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 Written by Gabrielle Guthrie for “See, there’s this thing called biology…~insanitybytes” @ https://insanitybytes2.wordpress.com/

Original post found @ https://insanitybytes2.wordpress.com/2024/12/21/fear-not/

Fear Not!

21SaturdayDec 2024

Posted by insanitybytes22 in Uncategorized

Tags faith, fear not, humor, insanitybytes22, love, Merry Christmas, opinion

I’m being very melodramatic here, total drama queen, but the past couple of weeks have felt a bit like riding in the last car on a roller coaster that’s come off its rails. All is well, things have just been a bit charged. ‘Tis the season, I suppose.

One of my favorite things about Christmastime in the Bible are these words, “fear not.” It’s the most repeated command all throughout. I tend to believe we should hang it on banners and print it on Christmas cards. “Merry” is not actually in the Bible, but rather, “fear not.” I think it would be quite delightful if rather than saying “Merry Christmas,” we all just greeted one another in the grocery store with those words, “Fear not.” One might even say that’s the message of Christmas, that’s the “why” of it all. Jesus came and hand-delivered us a good reason to, “fear not.”

I also enjoy 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” It’s a verse that helps me to remember that fear is not of God. And if it’s not “of God” then I don’t have to entertain it, in fact, I shouldn’t. If it’s not “of God” then it doesn’t belong on the menu. Spit it out.

Fear comes in a lot of different forms, some more of a subconscious anxiety, worry, distress, and insomnia. It can be quite hidden and subtle, not even recognized as “fear.” Sometimes conflicts and anger can be rooted in fear. A bit like dogs, fearful, insecure people are prone to be reactionary. Sometimes fear can be wrapped up and hidden within caring and empathy. That’s kind of a sneaky slug where one dumps all their own fears onto someone else. The plaintive greeting (or warning really,) “stay safe,” captures that sentiment for me. Dude, I’m just relaxing by the fire enjoying myself, but thanks for reminding me the world is a dangerous place and my ability to keep myself safe is quite questionable. Gee, for a moment there, I kind of forgot I was supposed to be so afraid, but hey, at least YOU feel better now.

Fear is a sneaky bugger. It’s also a spirit. An energy. It’s contagious, we spread it around, it crackles in the air. It can be felt by others. You can startle people, fear has a kind of collectiveness to it. It’s also what lurks at the root of a lot of other problems like envy, competition, abandonment, anger, and a bazillion other assorted relationship dysfunctions.

That photo above is simply because I enjoy lions very much. I enjoy them because I get to gaze upon their majesty and contemplate the nature of their Creator. There is no fear at all, just some wonder and awe. If instead, I lived where lions literally roamed about as giant predators, I might be fearful or at the very least, cautious. Note how the nature of the lion hasn’t changed at all, but rather my own geography has changed, and my placement in the story has changed. Fear is often like that, too. It is generally our attitude, our response, our perception, our location that change the entire storyline.

When we are located safely in Christ, we have nothing to fear. Jesus is our orientation. He is our geography.

I think Romans 8:38-39 really captures the heart of that matter, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

LOL!  Because this is the internet, I feel compelled to issue a disclaimer. Please be sensible. Be prepared. Do not walk out into traffic. Do not try to fly! I am speaking more of things like worry, random anxiety, and assorted other relationship dysfunctions which sometimes can get hit with a highlighter pen or draped in neon lights this time of year.

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=020123f0b8983d06&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS1112US1112&q=image+Isaiah+41:10&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWd8nbOJfsBGGB5IQQO6L3J7pRxUp2pI1mXV9fBsfh39JqJxzRlphkmT2MeVSzs3MQCUNkeUaVjRp3Bu8J5s0Uhth1kanxV3wwM-ZpLNQxev02eGZJXBT8zGqZr6c6yH2cVe_uA2xC9w3GYmt2KJTW-QrsBzNk7iG36xu7OAhHyxMvD4YLaICKTSUmBmrHtR-uobi8BA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6mOvxtsCKAxVyrokEHYyXN4wQtKgLegQIFRAB&biw=1436&bih=887&dpr=1