Fear vs. Peace

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubles and do not be afraid."

~John 14:27

What is Peace?  According to the dictionary peace means: 

In a state of tranquility; serene

Free from strife.

If God tells us to have peace, why is it so hard to do that?

Have you ever heard someone say, "It's okay to be afraid."  This is one statement I really do not like. If the bible clearly says "Do not be afraid." Why are we telling others it is okay?  The only thing I believe is worthy of fear is God, and that is a completely different kind of fear.

What does fear do to us? What do we gain from fear, and worry....nothing!  So why is it so often our go to emotion?  Is it because we are human, because sin is in the world.  It may be all of those things, but this post is not a discouragement, but an encouragement!  When I am fearful my favorite two passages of scripture are Matthew 6:25-34-

  

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

 and

2 Timothy 1:7-

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Next time you feel fearful and discouraged instead of saying to yourself, "It's okay to to be afraid." remember, "God has not given us a spirit of fear."

~Hasta Luago Caiman!