Devotional: Fear

If I were to write down a list of my childhood fears it would not be that long. I was never afraid of the dark or a monster living under my bed. But if I were to write down a list of my adult fears the list might be a little longer. Maybe they wouldn’t even be fears so much as questions asked in nervousness. Am I a good husband? Am I going to be a good father? Am I the leader that God wants to me to be? Will I be able to pay the bills on time this month? These might sound a lot like fears that most people may have, but let’s focus on the being a good dad part for now. This baby is due any day now and time is slipping away. Of course we did all the regular stuff like frequent doctor’s visits and the Lamaze class. We had a wonderful baby shower with our family and church friends who were more than generous when it came down to gifts for the baby and emotional support. But I still find myself asking my wife almost every day if she thinks I am going to be a good father. I think the reason I have these self doubts is because my Father was not around much when I was a kid, and when he was around, well let’s just say he wasn’t winning the father of the year award. I feel like I never had a good model of what a great dad should be, and because of that it makes me think that I won’t know how to be one.

Psalm 25:11-13 says For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.

God has already overcome everything we need to fear. I know God isn’t up in heaven worrying if I will be a good father or not, he knows already that I will be. Put your trust and fear in the LORD and your descendants will inherit the land, how cool is that? God already knows what we worry about and He knows what we fear most in life, and He’s got us covered. This week I want to challenge you to think about what you fear most in life, and then hand it over to God. Easier said than done, right? Of course it is, but don’t despair because Psalm 55:22 says “Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” Give God what you fear most and He will take care of you, always. One final thought; Don't let your fears stop you from doing great things.