A Simple Way to Be Free from the Terrorism of Fear and Worry
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The terror of fear and worry
When my life seems stressful or in tense circumstances, I find my mind wandering in reflection of a simpler life. I’m not talking about ancient history, but remembering our life and work overseas.
It wasn’t a trouble-free life. We often needed to solve problems, resolve relational conflicts, and we even faced life-threatening situations. Even so, life was simpler in many respects.
This got me thinking about what makes life stressful for so many people. I think it narrows down to two primary things—fear and worry. In a sense, these two concerns terrorize people.
Consider the nature of terrorism. Religious and political zealots use certain tactics to propagate terror in people’s minds and hearts. They want people to be overcome with fear and worry for their lives.
But there are other fears that terrorize people from long ago, things like sickness, poverty, oppression, disasters, or calamitous weather. Others feel threatened by climate change and economic woes.
Life is cyclical and full of worries. But today’s worries become yesterday’s worries of the next day, and as Jesus said, “don’t ever worry about tomorrow. After all, tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt 6:34 GW)
Jesus speaks to what we might call a terror of the heart and mind caused by worry and fear. These have plagued humanity for ages. David, the psalmist, speaks of another way people are terrorized that is just as relevant today as it was in his time.
Scripture
For the choir director; a psalm by David.
Hear my voice, O God, when I complain. Protect my life from a terrifying enemy.
Hide me from the secret plots of criminals, from the mob of troublemakers. They sharpen their tongues like swords.
They aim bitter words like arrows to shoot at innocent people from their hiding places.
They shoot at them suddenly, without any fear. They encourage one another in their evil plans.
They talk about setting traps and say, “Who can see them?”
They search for the perfect crime and say, “We have perfected a foolproof scheme!”
Human nature and the human heart are a mystery! [vss 1-6]
But God will shoot them with an arrow. Suddenly, they will be struck dead.
They will trip over their own tongues. Everyone who sees them will shake his head.
Everyone will be afraid and conclude, “This is an act of God!”
They will learn from what he has done.
Righteous people will find joy in the Lord and take refuge in him.
Everyone whose motives are decent will be able to brag. [vss 7-10]
(Psalm 64:1-10 GW) [Context– Psalm 64]
Reflections and Insights
When dark and evil events happen, we often wonder—Why did this happen? What was the purpose or motivation to do these terrible things?
A person could waste a lot of time trying to answer these questions, but the last line of verse six seems to address that—Human nature and the human heart are a mystery!
It’s interesting how David describes what the “criminals” and “troublemakers” do (see vss 2-6 above). Much of it centers on what comes out of their mouths. Think about that for a while. Think of how certain people sow fear, worry, hate, and doubt into our minds and hearts with “bitter words” that stab us like “swords.”
What's the antidote for this kind of terror? Trusting God. We need to see things from His perspective or at least from the point of view governed by trust in the Lord rather than trust in ourselves.
At some point, each of us needs to make a choice. A choice to shut out all the clamor and chaos of the world and redirect our minds and hearts to find refuge in God.
Once again, King David teaches us how to deal with such concerns. It's okay to voice our concerns and complaints to Him. In fact, it’s the wise thing to do. It’s better than keeping it bottled up inside or complaining to others.
David knows God is sovereign. The Lord is the supreme ruler over all. David knows God will set things right in His time and in His way, not ours.
When we see things from God's perspective and realize His greatness, we can rejoice in Him, praise Him, and seek Him as our personal shelter from any and all forms of terror, worry, and fear.
Reflection—
God is a strong shelter for those who trust in Him! Each of us needs to make a choice to shut out all the clamor and chaos of the world and redirect our minds and hearts to find refuge in God.
Prayer Focus—
When you find yourself terrorized by fear and worry, no matter what its source, be open and honest with the Lord. Then choose to entrust your life to Him, laying all those fears or worries before Him as you pray.
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