9/27/2021
As human beings we all experience fear or sadness on occasion, but it is not good for us to remain this way for any length of time. Digging into a few causes of these emotions we find that sadness can come as the result of many things such as lost love, disappointment, or abandonment, and fear from feeling insecurity, helplessness, or a sense of being overwhelmed by life and threatening circumstances, but God is our solution to them all. When we find ourselves unable to overcome, or cope, with these unwanted feelings, then we need to remember that God has invited us to turn to Him. Our trust in Him is the key to reclaiming our joy, happiness, and the healthy feelings of peace and security, once again.
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.””
Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
It doesn’t take much effort to remember certain times in our lives when we were sad, or afraid, and most of the time we come through them quite naturally. The passage of time, new friends, a glimmer of hope, all of these can help heal sadness, and conquering a problem, exiting a threatening situation, or being supported by a friend, can solve fear. But, there are times of sadness that we can’t overcome on our own, and fears that can become so deeply engrained in us that our natural mechanisms are useless against them. In times such as these we need help, and it is for just such occurrences that God, and Jesus remind us that They are with us, and ready to heal us.
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Sadness can become overwhelming, and turn into depression if allowed to remain for too long, and fear can become a phobia if it goes unchecked, but Just as God gave us natural defenses against our fear and sadness, He also provides us with a failsafe against depression and phobias. When we go to Him in prayer, and do so in the name of Jesus, then these natural occurrences that have grown to become illnesses, will be addressed by Him, and we will be healed.
“With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.”
Jeremiah 31:9 ESV
Sadness and fear can consume us just as certainly as drugs and alcohol can turn a casual user into an addict. We can reach a place in them where we become lost… a place where sadness can fill us with fear, and fear will lead us into sadness. It is a dangerous predicament, and a vicious circle, that only God can break. To avoid this we need to seek the Lord early in the process, and lean on him, even as our natural mechanisms are at work, but if we find ourselves having slipped into despair then we need to redouble our prayers, and swiftly seek shelter in Him. He is our strong tower, and defense in times of trouble. He delivers us when sadness and fear are at our gates…
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.”
Psalm 18:2-3, 6 ESV
But what if we are already overcome by depression today, or our fears have already become phobias? Well, there is no need to feel lost, or abandoned to them. God is with us, and is waiting patiently to hear us call out to Him. He longs for us to give Him full control of our lives, and the situation we find ourselves in. If we release the fear and sadness to Him by placing our predicament into His hand alone, then miracles happen…
“Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.””
Psalm 91:9-16 ESV
The funny thing about miracles is this… they are only miraculous in our eyes, but are commonplace to God. A miracle is something that occurs outside the natural boundaries, and understanding, of our world, but since that is where God resides it is an everyday occurrence to Him. No sadness is too deep, and no fear too great that He can’t overcome them. The bridge between our world, and those commonplace occurrences of Heaven that we like to call miracles, is constructed from our belief and faith, and we cross it clothed in prayer and trust.
So if we are experiencing sadness or fear today we need to realize that they are natural emotions given to help us as we deal with the events in our lives, and that through prayer, and trust, God can help us to keep them under control… functioning as He intended for them to. We should also be aware of the danger signs that indicate we are approaching that point where we have waited too long to come to Him for assistance with them, and immediately ask Him to step in. But, if we have already reached that place where we have lost total control, and are fully consumed by depression, or our fears and phobias are ruling our lives, then it is time to fall down before him, and abandon all attempts at control to Him… to lay our addiction level fears and sadness in His hands and say “Father, take this from me, it is too great, and I am drowning; lost! Help me Lord!”.
Where are we in our lives today? Are we experiencing sadness or fear? Well maybe so because, after all, they are natural emotions, but so are the feelings of joy, happiness, wellbeing, and comfort, and these are the gifts that God wants to dominate our lives, for us to hope and dwell in through Jesus… are we ready to give God control of our fear and sadness?
“And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:12-13 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for all our natural emotions like love, joy, and happiness, but thank you especially for the sadness and fear we feel because they lead us to lean on you so completely. In these we give ourselves over to you entirely. Hear our cries in the night, see us tremble in the day, and taste our tears as we are overcome by our fears and sadness. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, bringing us comfort and joy amidst our sorrows, and the terrors we encounter. Praised be your name for every moment of joy we feel, and likewise the moments of sadness and fear that reveal them in their true power and goodness. Merciful are you, and mighty in our defense. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and help us overcome the fear and sadness we experience in sin. Your grace is sufficient for us Lord, and we pray that you find us worthy in judgement, and dry our every tear as you seat us at your glorious table forevermore.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”
Revelation 21:4-6 ESV
Rich Forbes