How many bad decisions do we make because we react to fear? Fear of losing, of missing out, of being judged by others… Watch out! The voice of fear can bury the voice of the Holy Spirit and steal our peace.

King Saul spent his life in fear. He was afraid of being made king, hiding in baggage so as not to be chosen among the people (1 Samuel 10:22). During an attack by the Philistines, Saul was afraid of losing his army, and this fear caused him to make the wrong decision (1 Samuel 13:8). In front of Goliath, he was as afraid as the rest of his army, not daring to face the giant himself. And when David began to rack up victories, he began to fear David (1 Samuel 18:29). Finally, King Saul died throwing himself on his sword because he was afraid of falling into the hands of his enemies (1 Samuel 31:4).

He was afraid to take on the responsibility of leadership (when God had chosen him). He was afraid of losing face in front of his people, and he was afraid of his enemies… but he was never afraid of losing favor with God. The fear of the Lord is not to be afraid of God and to flee from Him, it is to be afraid of losing the presence of God and therefore of remaining as close as possible to His heart. It is to be so afraid of displeasing God that we accept to lose our life to stay on the narrow path. “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25 NKJV).

Following the voice of fear always robs us of our peace. Worry takes over our thoughts to such an extent that the Word of God can no longer bear fruit in our lives (Matthew 13:22). Fear leaves us in a fog that prevents us from considering the power of God and the love He has for us. However, it is when we feel loved that we can have trust in Him and be at peace in our trials. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18a NKJV).

Singles; Are you more afraid of being alone than of displeasing God in your singleness? It is when we are afraid of loneliness that we make compromises that put a distance between us and our Lord. It is when we are afraid of what others think of us that we stop celebrating what God has done in our life. It is when we are afraid of losing our dream life that we forget our true calling, our destiny.

Let’s be alert to this great danger. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit for help so that we can resist the threats of the enemy, the temptations to compromise our standards. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1 Peter 5:8-10 NKJV).