Why Should I Fear?

This post is written to link with Five Minute Friday: write for five minutes on a one-word prompt.  The prompt today is “should.”

“Why should I fear man when you made the heavens?
Why should I be afraid when you put the stars in place?
Why should I lose heart when I know how great you are?
Why should I give up when your plans are full of love?”
(You Shine- Brian Doerksen)

Why should I fear?

Logically I know there’s no reason. God created the world and holds it in his hands. He is bigger than any of my worries and his perfect love casts out all fear. He is sovereign over everything, even when life seems messy and confusing and chaotic. He has a good plan and his love never fails.

Yet the reality is I do. I worry too much about what people think. I allow anxieties to spiral out of control and take over my life. I feel discouraged when I look at circumstances instead of fixing my eyes on God. I doubt his goodness and that he has a good plan for me.

I don’t always feel as I should.

But I’m grateful that with God I don’t need to pretend. Yes, I need to choose to hold to the truth and keep my eyes on him, but I can also be honest when I don’t feel as I should.

For too long I felt I had to keep my fears and worries to myself because I was told I shouldn’t feel that way, but with God I can come as I am, not as I feel I should be.

I can be honest and know he will still welcome me.

“Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.”  (Psalm 62:8 NLT)