“. . . and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:15)
On the old TV series “The A-Team” there was an episode where the A-Team had been trapped in a building by people who wanted to destroy them. A news reporter was trapped along with them, and when she asked what they would do next, they told her they were ready to die, and that their willingness to die was what gave them an advantage over their enemies. Of course the A-Team survived to fight another day.
What can truly hold you in bondage to fear if you are not afraid to die?
I’m not trying to be morbid. It is a reasonable question. If we truly comprehend what Jesus did for us on the cross, how He overcame hell, death, and the grave, then we should be encouraged, and not be held in bondage to fear. Not because of what we can do–but because of what He has already done for us–and can do through us.
I’m a far from perfect human being, but I do not fear death. There have been times in my life when it looked like I might die. Once I was bleeding so bad the nurses described me as “bleeding like a stuck pig”–how is that for a description of your medical condition? I do not fear death because I have faced it and and was ready to die. Indeed, I was so worn and weary I welcomed it, but it was not my time yet. I have no “death wish” and I would like to live to one-hundred years old just to spite the devil, but I’ll never live in fear of death again.
I think it is easy to die, but what is truly challenging is to live with an affliction, with pain and suffering and hardship that does not go away. The true heroes are not only those who die bravely, but especially those who live bravely, who face death, who live with disease, who live with long days of mourning–those are special heroes. . . heroes indeed.
Your life may not be everything you hoped it would be. You may be engulfed with disappointment and suffering. It may be a challenge simply to live from day to day. I’m not going to give you a “cotton candy” message saying tomorrow will be all sunshine and butterflies, tomorrow may be another challenging day.
But I will tell you that we serve a Lord who suffered much on our behalf. And we have a God who cared enough to send Jesus to make a way for us, and He has delivered us from the fear of death, we need no longer be its slaves. He did this not so we would live as victims of fear, but victors over every fear that assaults us.
He is our Deliverer, and He loves us in the midst of our pain and suffering. He is our comfort and hope.
If you take nothing else away from this message, please take this:If the enemy is holding the threat and fear of death over your head, if he is worrying you over some flare-up or new affliction, point a finger to the sky and utter one word, “Jesus.” Our Lord has already defeated satan, death, hell, and the grave, and we are the recipients of that victory.
Do not despair of life, for you have eternal life abiding within you if you are a child of God. And God does not want you to live in defeat, nor in slavery to fear. Receive the goodness of God in this life, and do not fear what comes after, for we have a Lord awaiting us.
If you feel yourself weighed down by dread and fear, the best thing you can do is look up. Look up and remind yourself of what has already been done for you, and fear not.
Prayer: Dear Lord, when fear tries to bind us with worry and dread, encourage us by Your Spirit, for You have overcome fear. Overcome the fear in our lives as well. Amen.
About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He knows what it is to be subject to fear, and to be free of fear, all through God’s grace.
You can now read this on your Kindle. Find out more at http://TodaysDevotionOnKindle.com
Do you sometimes feel like fear has you bound? Have you ever reminded yourself that because of Christ we need not be slaves to fear?
“I think it is easy to die, but what is truly challenging is to live with an affliction, with pain and suffering and hardship that does not go away.” Perfectly said, Karlton.
Lately, I too often think “Dying isn’t difficult, it’s LIVING that’s hard!” It’s exhausting, disappointing, painful, confusing and often times, lonely. How do we frame the gift of eternity in our minds without it becoming morbid or a ‘death wish’? Knowing tomorrow will probably be just as difficult (maybe even worse) only makes eternity that much more attractive, you know? And knowing that God’s will could easily be a life of ‘more-of-the-same’ does not help me cultivate a “zest for life”.
God seems to be speaking to me on the theme of fear as it is something I do struggle with, as I know is common to many as we walk this journey together. I’ve been asking myself lately why isn’t it “enough” (in my mind) that Christ lives in me as my Savior to keep me from being so fearful ? Why do we struggle so with fear when we do know His promises and that He is near? I guess it’s a journey of learning I may always be on. I’m guessing from this article that many others can relate as well. Thank you for the reminder to “look up.” May His blessings of peace pour out on you and yours, Karlton, along with all who come here for encouragement and hope. So thankful to have this fellowship of “travelers” on the journey. May we all join together in looking up, speaking “Jesus” – the name in which all fear is defeated.
Joining together in “looking up,”
BeBe
Thanks for your truth-telling and encouraging devotional, Karlton, which reminded me of this verse: “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And, the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Thanks Deb. Sometimes it seems there is so much to be disappointed about in life, that it takes an effort to stay positive and optimistic, and count the small and large blessings. I have learned to enjoy the small things, and try to laugh at the dumb irritations that come along, but sometimes the challenges can really weigh us down. I recently reminded a suffering friend that God promises us our daily bread, day by day strength to face our challenges. Sometimes it’s easier to take life in small bites.
Blessings.
Karlton
Thanks BeBe. It is indeed a journey and a struggle dealing with fear. I was thinking recently about what huge a problem fear was for me in my twenties, it was a constant struggle and challenge. I think we learn as we get older, there are mental, physical, and spiritual causes for fear, as we learn to deal with fear in each of those areas we gradually get stronger and take control over it with the Lord’s help.
Blessings.
Karlton
Thanks AJ. I love that verse, actually I love the entire book of Galatians and try to read it regularly, especially if I feel myself getting a bit legalistic 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton
Wow……I’m really teary with this devotion Karlton…..powerful for me right now. Trying to untangle the emotion…..it’s eloquently putting things that are “life” for me; challenging fears; bringing out griefs with MIL currently dying; encouraging me; reminding me how much the Lord loves me…..lots of “stuff”!!! Thank you soooooo much for being able to so clearly speak to the heart. Blessing to you Karlton. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Kerryn, so sorry about your MIL. Thank you for the kind comments.
Blessings.
Karlton
Oh Karlton,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this beautiful devotional! I am always blessed by your writings, but I especially needed to hear these words today. I have had seasons of fear interspersed with times of peace, but, so far, I have not managed to lose the fear for good. I am going to print out this devotional and read it every time I feel I need to (and of course I will be rereading Hebrews!) It is difficult living with chronic disease and pain, but it allows us to have a perspective and a heart towards others that I don’t think would be possible without the illness. So, thank you for bringing such a compassionate heart to this ministry, and thank you, too, for the vital message you wrote today. God bless you.
Melissa, thank you for your kind words, and I’m glad the devotion has blessed you. Hebrews was the favorite book of one of my bible teachers. It is such a rich book full of knowledge that I get something new from it each time I read it.
Some of us are plagued by chronic anxiety and fear, it can feel like a constant battle to rise above it, and scripture helps us to keep our perspective.
Thanks again.
Blessings.
Karlton
Karlton, I’ve often thought that people with a chronic illness or disability are true heroes. Certainly those who endure day after day with grace. I’ve met so many writers and commenters here who are in this category. Even if we feel like few people really understand, God and the angels see us and rejoice when we don’t give up. though we may feel like it many times.
I’m currently reading a book called “Tame Your Fears” by Carol Kent. God is working in my heart through this and in other ways to help me face my fears so that I won’t stay stuck where I am and miss the abundant life He desires for all His own.
May He release us from the bondage of fear.
Thank you much brother.
Thanks Beth 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton
As I have been experiencing another painful flare over the past couple of days, my emotions are also triggered as one of the complexities of the illness. When I first began to experience the symptoms of this illness, the strange and mixed emotions were the most perplexing for me. I would feel like crying but not be sure what the root or underlying reason was. I was a babe in Christ thirsty and hungry for Him and the truth, so I sought to grow in understanding through Bible Study, prayer and seeking Christian counsel through books and other resources. I would read about issues with fear often and I realized that in many ways I was struggling with the issues they would present. However, there were times when it seemed that fear wasn’t quite the emotion I was feeling, but it felt so much like fear.
Well, a few years ago, I read C.S. Lewis’ “A Grief Observed”. The first line of the first chapter was, “No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep swallowing.”
I could see the truth in his statement and felt like this new understanding brought clarity to my own heart and feelings. In Christ, I am set free from the bondage of fear of death. Yet, in the suffering and illness of this body, I still FEEL various emotions such as grief due to the losses of relationships and just the effects of the illness upon the hormones, nervous system and brain functions of this broken body. It has been freedom for me to understand that though I may feel the sensations like CS Lewis described, those feelings don’t determine what is in my heart. It is by faith I live, not by sight, perception or emotions.
THANK GOD for His love which drives out those fears that do crop up at times through the very practice others here describe, remembering and mediating upon His Word, casting all the anxieties on Him in daily prayer and having Christian friends like you to bring encouragements like this!
Well said Diana 🙂
Blessings.
Karlton