Afraid of the Dark

Why is it that most of our fears show up at night when we finally lie down in the bed, turn off the light, and try to fall asleep?  Sometimes even when we do fall asleep, something wakes us up and we find ourselves almost paralyzed with fear.

Is it because it is dark and we cannot see?  Or is it because it is quiet and still and the noises of the day no longer distract us?  Maybe it is then when we start to think.  And we think about the scary things we witnessed- maybe on the television, or at the movie theatre, or on the news?  Or maybe even first hand?  And those images just keep coming back to mind.

It seems very hard to escape the violence, the sex (and I do not mean the loving way that God created it but the ugly way it is often used in our world), the greed and the darkness of this world.  It is everywhere.  Social media, television, the billboards alongside the highways, the radio.  It goes on and on.

The more we see, the more desensitized we become.  Or so we think.  And our daily busyness prevents us from often even realizing we have let those things in. 

But we are much like a sponge.  As night comes and the busyness fades, those very things we let in start to want to seep back out.  The result is fear or worry as we lie anxiously in bed waiting on the light of morning when all will calm as we start the cycle over.

It’s a terrible way to live.  A vicious cycle.  Yet so many can relate to this. 

You see, as it turns out, lyrics are not just lyrics.  Violent movies are not just “no big deal.”  News stories on brutalities and shows glamorizing them are perhaps not necessary for us to consider ourselves ‘informed.’  Because if these things are really unimportant, why do they haunt us?

And more importantly, why are you tolerating them when they contaminate you?  Your spirit.  Your soul.  Your thoughts.  Your personality.  Your peace.

I love what the Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the people of Philippi.

“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, put it into practice…. And the God of peace will be with you.”-  Philippians 4:8-9

Are you someone who prays to God and asks him to ‘wave his magic wand’ and make you calm or brave?  I call those panic prayers.  And I have come to believe that that is not exactly the way it works. 

I think we have a role to play.  We have to decide and declare our strength and faith to our GOD. 

Over and over and over, I see God calling us to ACTION.  Because He is not a God who will make you do anything.  He gives you the choice and the freedom.  That is love.  That is God.

God wants to do things WITH us, not just FOR us.  There is a big difference.  He wants a relationship.  A loving relationship.

I have struggled with fear throughout my entire life.  I think I always will.  Because fear is the arch enemy to faith, it is no surprise.  Satan’s primary goal is to unravel our faith.  And we are told that we are not at war with flesh but with the powers of darkness (see Ephesians 6:12).  So until Jesus comes back, these battles continue.

What I have learned to do is to focus on my faith and shift my attention to Jesus when I am afraid.  If I wake in the middle of the night, I pray for whoever is on my mind.  Sometimes it is others and sometimes it is me!  I then whisper the name Jesus and I focus on what I imagine his face to look like.  And without fail, peace is with me.  Sometimes it happens almost instantly.  And sometimes, it may be a while.  But without fail, peace finds me.

I realize evil things do indeed happen and perhaps you yourself have been a victim of indescribable evil.  Please hear me when I say that as I write this blog, I am praying for you.  God knows who you are and I am asking for your peace and joy despite your circumstances. 

So here is what I am NOT saying:  I am not saying that a focus on Jesus will keep you from evil.  Further, I am not saying bad things will happen to you if you do not have enough faith.  Be warned that some people will try to tell you that.  Please hear me loud and clear:  it is not true!  Your faith or lack of faith do not determine whether you are faced with evil. In this world, there will be trouble.  Jesus told his beloved disciples to expect it and so must we.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33

What I am saying is this:  Jesus has overcome evil by defeating death at the cross.  When you choose to walk with Him, you will not walk though darkness alone.  Jesus will be with you.  And the things you think you cannot possibly endure will often come to fruition.  And you will find out that you can endure far more than you ever thought possible.  Why?  Because HE is with you.  And He hasn’t lost a battle yet!

Maybe those are the times when we get a glimpse of just how big and powerful and good and faithful our God is?  When He comes to win our losing battles.  When we have done all we can do and have no more to give.  When we have hit rock bottom and there seems to be no way we can endure any more.  Maybe this is the very time when you feel him grab your hand as he did Peter’s and whisper, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”  (Matthew 8:26).

I love how Jesus did not calm the waves when Peter asked him to walk on the water.  He invited him to walk out on top of them- with HIM!

As I wrap this up today, I want to leave you with a few final thoughts on choosing life over death and living filled with the fruit of the spirit which is love, joy and peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22) :

1.     What you listen to matters.

2.     What you watch matters.

3.     Who you associate with matters.

4.     What you say matters.

No one but God can read your mind.  Only God is omniscient or all knowing.  1 Kings 8:39 says that God alone knows every human heart.  Psalm 139.4 says that God knows what we will say before we can say it, while the thought is still in formulation.  Jesus, being God incarnate, also knew the thoughts of men (see John 2:25, Matthew 9:4 and John 6:64). 

But Satan is powerful.  And he is smart.  He watches you, listens to you, and can put things in your path that provoke you to fear.  REFUSE to let him do that to you!!!  Speak up!  Speak words of life.  Only.  LIFE.

Be alert.  Be wise.  Don’t consciously invite darkness into your thoughts thinking it is no big deal.   And when darkness comes, remember:  all you have to do is turn on the light.

Dear God,

I invite you to walk with me through each and every moment of my day.  I choose to focus on love, joy and peace.  I choose to focus on things that are good.  I choose life. I choose light.  I choose you.

Gently remind me of all of the times you have already proven yourself faithful to me.  I can so easily forget.

I know you paid such a huge price for me when you defeated Satan at the cross and I am grateful.  You will soon come again to end it once and for all -in your perfect timing.  But for now, help me remember to speak out loud the name of Jesus when I am afraid.  In this I know you will grant me the peace that my heart desires.  I love you.