Our Greatest Fears

Introduction

Throughout film history, man has constantly enjoyed the thrill of horror movies. They have been designed to have the greatest impact on the audience, tapping into man’s greatest fears in order to provide a scare capable of keeping the watcher up for weeks.

In 2004, Entertainment Weekly compiled a list of the 20 Scariest Movies of All time (this list only included English language films, and I’m sure the horror buffs out there will contest this list, but this is one group’s list, not the world’s).

The compilation provides an interesting insight into man’s greatest fears. By far the most common theme was that of the supernatural nature consisting of possessions, zombies, living dead, and poltergeists. Coming a relatively distant second was horrible ways to die, bringing to mind the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Jaws, and perhaps one of the scariest films to ever be produced, Silence of the Lambs.

But what are our greatest fears? Perhaps it would be apt to take time to think about the things that truly scare us (and I don’t mean spiders or other creepy crawlies), and what we would do when we face our greatest fears.

Passage: Psalm 23

 The Lord is my Shepherd (v.1-4)

This beautiful song leaves no doubt as to who our protector is. Verse 1 begins with “The Lord is my shepherd…” The role of a shepherd is 3-fold: supervise the migration of the flock, to keep their flock intact, and if required, to protect it from predators. It is no coincidence that many of the Bible’s great leaders have begun their careers as shepherds. Amos, David and Moses were all men who cut their teeth as God’s workers on the fields tending sheep. And it is important as we look at these men, who became great shepherds themselves, to remember that they were trained by the greatest shepherd of all.

The passage highlights to us how the Lord fulfills those 3 duties of a shepherd. Continuing at verse 2, we see that the Lord continues to lead us to where we are most comfortable, providing us with all that we need to remain in a spiritually healthy state (v.2). In verse 3, we see God keeping our souls intact, restoring them when we encounter the trials and tribulations of the world. And finally in verse 4, we see the Lord’s protection over us, even during times of greatest despair.

The Lord is my Host (v.5-6)

In the second part of the psalm, the writer changes perspectives. Instead of being the useless sheep that we are portrayed as in the first half of the chapter, we are now considered honored guests! In the United States military, during a function officers are always announced from the lowest rank to the highest rank. However, there is an exception to this rule. A recipient for the Medal of Honor is always announced last, granted the highest position in the arena for his exceptional service to his country. The Medal of Honor is the only commendation available to a serviceman of the US Armed Forces which is a neck medal, and much like this Psalm says, the table is always prepared for them, and the placing of the medal not unlike anointing. And as the medal is a symbol for bravery, so does our faith and trust in the Lord hold us vindicated against our enemies.

Let me ask you brethren, knowing that God has given us complete protection and provision, how should we approach those things that we fear?

Conclusion

Well, it depends entirely on what it is you fear. If your fear is of spiders, cockroaches, or other insects, my suggestion is to invest in a good pest-control man, and arm yourself with a big can of Baygon, because I know from personal experience that it takes more than 1 spray to down a cockroach. But if your fears are less corporeal, the answer surely lies in the Word of God.

Perhaps you fear illness. Then 2 Corinthians 5:1, which says “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” may offer some good perspective. Or perhaps it is financial instability that you’re afraid of. In that case Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” may be a verse appropriate for you.

The important thing that I have learned over the last year is that nothing can separate us from the love of God if we are His children in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:38-39 reads: “ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I was once told to rewrite verses 38 and 39 using words that expressed the things I most feared. This is how mine read: For I am persuaded that abandonment, persecution, loneliness, pride, racism, losing my loved ones and failure shall not be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How will your verse read?

Prayer

-          That you will remember to turn to the Word to combat every trial

-          That you may learn to trust in you to face their greatest fears, whatever it may be