Fear of [what man hath wrought] will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25, NIV 1984).
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who [or things that] kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:4–5, NIV 1984).
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (James 3:5, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “Fear is like fire. If you extinguish it while it is small, it won’t become an inferno.” (“Becoming Bulletproof,” by Evy Poumpouras).
Fire, is generally considered one of mankind’s greatest “discoveries.” The ability to harness and control it has provided immense benefits down through the ages. But left unharnessed, or allowed to run out of control, and if not dealt with before the “small spark” becomes an inferno, it is a terrible fearful thing.
What is it that you fear? A mutating virus? A regional conflict with the potential to escalate into World War III? Nuclear winter? Collapse of the financial markets, recession and rationing? The world has certainly not gotten any less fearful since Franklin Roosevelt (FDR) said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” At that time, mankind did not yet have to live with the capability of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). Those left from those days are becoming fewer and fewer. Soon, those who are left will never have known a different world.
FDR’s quote came years after the 1918 flu epidemic, but that was not the fear he was addressing. World War II was not even a regional conflict yet that ultimately engulfed the entire globe in warfare. So, he could not have been addressing that fear. He came to power during the Great Depression — financial collapse. That was the context for his quote. Interesting to see the parallels with today.
But whether it is plague, war or recession/depression, the greatest danger is the fear that these things generate. It starts with a tiny spark and morphs into a raging inferno, unless contained. The real fear is that it is not contained soon enough.
The world deals with fear in one of three ways, fight it, flee from it or become paralyzed by it (freeze). These are tendencies of natural man. Christians have been unnaturally reborn and have a fourth option. We can overcome come it. “In this world you will have trouble [things to fear]. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV 1984).
While it is not impossible for the natural man to overcome his fears (rather than fight, flight or freeze), it is much harder for him to do so. That’s one difference. But the bigger difference is what comes once the events that started the fear literally consumes them and they face eternity without Christ. We must pity them. But more than that, we must do what we can to make sure they do not face that day without having to fear it, by coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
My Advice – This can be another “consuming fire.” The spread of the Gospel. Often started by one little spark. Let’s be that spark whenever and wherever we can.
It Only Takes a Spark
It only takes a spark, to get a fire going (going)
And soon all those around, can warm up in its glowing (glowing)
That’s how it is with God’s love (A–hh!)
Once you’ve experienced it
You spread his love to every one;
You want to pass it on (pass it on, pass it on).
What a wondrous time is spring, when all the trees are budding (budding)
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming (blooming)
That’s how it is with God’s love (A–hh!)
Once you’ve experienced it
You want to sing, it’s fresh like spring
You want to pass it on (pass it on, pass it on).
I wish for you my friend, this happiness that I have found (I have found)
You can depend on him; it matters not where you are bound (you are bound)
I’ll shout it from the mountain top (A–hh!)
I want the world to know, the Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on (pass it on, pass it on).
— Kurt Kaiser
The Brew Is A Musing 