courage and fear

I've heard it said that God says "Be not afraid" something like 365 times in the Bible--one for everyday. I don't know if that's true or not. I'm not even sure that it matters how many times it appears. It's undeniable, though, that God expresses that thought all throughout the pages of his word.

Why? Why does that idea--No Fear--show up all over the course of God's interaction with humanity?

We are a fearful people. Our fears range from the silly (luposlipophobia-An abnormal, persistent fear of of being pursued by timber wolves around a kitchen table while wearing socks on a newly waxed floor) to the debilitating (click here for a list). We struggle to overcome fear in our daily lives in many forms. Some of us are better at coping or hiding our fears. Some say that that number 1 fear is public speaking, and the #2 is death. That means that some people would rather die than speak in public.

Fear can be a helpful tool in navigating this life. Our reaction to danger is driven by fear, and that can keep us alive. The fear of punishment can prevent us from crossing the lines of inappropriate or harmful behavior. But our fears can stop us from experiencing the fullness of life that God created us for, and that's not good.

God consistently reminds us that he is with us. One of the names of Jesus is Immanuel, which literally means God with us. His presence is supposed to bring us comfort, hope, and freedom from fear. God describes himself as LOVE, and we believe that perfect love drives out fear.

I know that I have fears of my own, and I am working through the process of overcoming. I don't want fear to stop me from being who God has planned for me to become. I want to live in the freedom that God's love gives, to experience life to the fullest, and to be fearless.

Courage--according to Wikipedia--is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. I want to live courageously, not flaunting myself in the face of my fears, but in the confidence of who I am in Christ, and his power at work in me.

Besides, when was the last time you saw a timberwolf in your kitchen?