Fear and Worship

Irrational fears can surface at the strangest times and overcome you. They are strange to say the least because they are, well, irrational. Last night I was sharing one of my such fears with my husband. Due to some circumstances in my life at the moment, I found myself confronting a very real, but very irrational fear that bubbled to the surface. I wanted reassurance and comfort from my dear husband. What I got was him confessing that he understood because he is deathly afraid of giant ostriches attacking him with their tiny beaks and pecking him to death. Ha, ha. He couldn't even deliver this little gem of humor without totally cracking up with man-sized belly laughs. I didn't find his attempt at rerouting my thoughts so funny last night, but today I see his point. Irrational fears are ridiculous. More than anything they reveal our weaknesses, insecurities, and anxieties.

Today between my many chores, I took a break to read some Psalms and I was struck by this Truth. Worship trumps fears. When I worship God, there is no room in my heart or mind for fears based in this world. They slide away into an abyss. In the void that is left, God's abundant love and joy fill me up.

Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture...the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

As I soaked this in, I realized how small and insignificant my fears really are compared to the awesome greatness of my Creator. A Creator who desires intimate relationship with me. A Creator who longs to love and protect me like a shepherd watches over his sheep.And when I focus my attention on Him, I have no room in my life for fear of anything other than him, and that is not irrational. It is respectful and true and right.

And so today I am soaking in His promises and Truth. I will let the Scripture speak for itself, and I will worship instead of fear.

Psalm 103: 1-5
Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.