Fear makes me do dumb things

1 Samuel 21: ¹⁰ That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. ¹¹ But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances:

“‘Saul has slain his thousands,
    and David his tens of thousands’?”

¹² David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. ¹³ So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

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Walking from one school to the next, a buddy and I chatted along the trek. We turned the corner and was met with a pack of street dogs. A couple of them began to growl. My friend took his book bag and waved it at the dogs. I on the other hand saw a tall bush, not a tree, a bush.

It was manicured with no branches at the bottom and flimsiness at the top. I quickly tried to escape in this thing to no avail. I had to join in on the fight.

• Fear makes me react on first impulse.
• Fear makes me think the worst is going to happen.
• Fear makes me play out suppositions in my mind that really aren’t true.

Fear makes me think things are disastrous. Even my shadow scares me when I’m fearful. I then start playing out “what would happen” scenarios and I go down a path that makes me even more fearful! BUT GOD says different.

• GOD wants me to trust HIM instead of being fearful.
• GOD wants me to give my fears to HIM in prayer.
• GOD wants me to agree HE is mighty and on my side so there is no need to have fear.

Many times I have feared the worst and GOD says to me “do not be afraid.” HE knows the situation seems bleak BUT HIS power is far greater than any situation I can face. HE understands my fear, worry or doubt and asks that I give to HIM “specifically” calling out the fear to HIM in prayer. HE then grants me peace that I don’t understand.

• Do you have fears?
• Are you afraid of a particular situation?
• Can you put your trust in HIM today?
• Won’t you mature in CHRIST by placing your faith in HIM?