As has become the tradition, I wanted to give you a poem today. I kind of wanted to bring you a new one; but, alas poetry does not always work that way. So, I searched through some I had written several years ago and published in 2010 in a book titled “Mercies and Exhortations”. This poem reflects how fear (which is always a lack of faith in God’s providential will for our life) affects also relationships and our testimony. Paul when writing to Timothy had said, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7.)
photo courtesy of ©istock/jeancliclac
Fear Walked In
Fear walked in
I let her stay
And Talk with me a while
What harm was she
A lonely soul
She could not mean me guile
But as she talked
With gentle voice
I listened to her tale
It seemed to touch
A chord in me
My heart began to wale
Jealousy
She was her friend
Who also came to stay.
A little while
What could it harm?
As hours turned to days
Another friend
Came close behind
And anger was her name
I could not hear
The voice of God
While playing their wild games
I bid them leave
Get out of here
I screamed at them to go
I let them in
My fault I know
Oh such a wretched foe
I cried to God
To make them leave
I want to feel your love
I need your joy
Your grandest peace
My eyes to see above
He heard my plea
He bade them leave
My faith He did restore
I felt His love
His warm embrace
How could I want for more?
I looked around
And then I saw
A precious love was gone
I’d lost him there
Oh, wretched self
I knew I’d done such wrong.
So if you see
That one called fear
Come knocking at your door
Don’t let her in
Bolt tight the locks
Or run to distant shores
Hold tight to God
His truth, His love
And never doubt His word
For fear will bring
Along her friends
Your loss, your fault, Absurd.
When we allow fear to enter, we definitely suffer the loss of three things as outlined by Paul in the words he wrote to Timothy.
1. Power. We have no strength of our own. The only power we have is that found in God through faith. (I Corinthians 1:25-31)
2. Love. Fear blocks our ability to love freely by allowing doubt, jealousy, anger, self-exaltation, and such a preoccupation with getting our own needs met that we cannot see the needs of others. (I Corinthians 13)
3. Soundness of Mind. There can be no peace of mind when fear is present. There can be no wise decisions made when we are focused on fear. (Ephesians 2:17-23)
Fear creeps in sometimes when we least expect it. When we entertain its presence, soon we become discontent. In relationships, we may become jealous. We even at times become jealous of others who seem to have life easier or who appear to have been promoted before us and threatens our security at work. I cannot tell you how often whether in relationships or at work, I have allowed fear to creep in. Always, it has been me who lost something in my testimony. Go back and read my blogs, The Tiny Thorn That Causes Much Suffering, Secrets to Discovering a Forgiving Heart and Slaying the Dragon of Fear.
Still, God is gracious, forgiving and full of mercy. When we acknowledge our fear, our failure and our lack of faith; He is quick to forgive and restore us. He is ever near to the broken hearted and He is always ready to fill us with His faith, His joy, His strength, His love, His wisdom, and His peace; if only we come to Him and ask.
©2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.