United or Divided | Live Beyond Fear
I’ve been reading local author/journalist Bob Welch’s book “Cross Purposes” this year, and it has a lot to say about the “us vs. them” mentality that our country/world has right now. In it, he mentions a book by Dan White Jr. called “Love Over Fear.” I may buy that one next. But for now, I’ll try to share a little of what I’ve learned so far.
Fear is what’s driving most of our world’s divisions right now. Leaders use fear of others to gain power and get us to act the way they want. It gives us a sense of control and focus. But the Bible says we are not to fear humans but only fear God (and that in the sense of awe and reverence, not terror). Fearing humans (or anything else) means we are making God smaller and no longer in control. I may not be a leader trying to sway anyone with fear, but by fearing some of those same people, I am contributing to making God smaller. Doubting His power. Putting Him in a box. Diminishing His omnipotence.
Romans 8:31 says “... If God is for us, who [or what] can be against us?” We don’t have to live in fear of communists, fascists, atheists, or any other “ists”. We don’t need to fear politicians, people of other religions, people with different values, or any other humans. In fact, we need to love them. All of them. Because they are not the enemy. They are made in the image of God just like we ourselves are.
I will say, I think it’s okay to have a healthy fear of some things (natural laws and disasters, etc.), as that can protect us. A healthy fear of the ocean keeps us from venturing out too far in it, for example. A healthy fear of identity theft helps us to act in ways that protect us. But to live in a state of terror of anything (I admit, I’m quite scared of the potential of artificial intelligence) means that we think God has lost control of the universe. We can walk in wisdom, steering clear of things that should scare us a little, but also in faith, trusting that where God leads us, He has a plan for us.
Instead of placing our faith in a human (or human invention) to save us from the things we’re afraid of, let’s place our faith in the God of the Universe. He is the one who saves. Don’t worry, I’m not preaching at you. I need to hear this more than anyone.
Thank you, Bob Welch, for this most recent reminder of this concept.
If anyone would like a sneak peak at Welch’s perspective, here is an article that he wrote earlier this year. It’s fantastic.
