Fear Versus Reality

Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites. So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time, he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphrates in the land of his people. “Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.” Numbers 22:2-6 BSB (emphasis mine).

Fear can be a crippling foe. It can impair one’s ability to perceive facts as they actually are, magnifying them to the extent that the fear of a situation becomes far greater than the reality of said situation. I know because I tend to blow things out of proportion, dredging up worst-case scenarios when my husband or sons are late getting home or a loved one is unwell. And that’s precisely where the devil wants me, isn’t it? In doing so, I give those thoughts free rein and allow them to feed my fear rather than taming them and taking them captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

This is precisely the situation in which Balak and the Moabites found themselves. The Israelites’ reputation had preceded them, causing reports regarding their numbers to be blown way out of proportion. Watch as the account swells from numerous to a devouring horde to a people that cover the face of the land. Their fear caused them to look for any and all resources they might use against their enemy, even to the point of putting a curse upon the Israelites. Thankfully, God intervened and Balaam spoke blessing over the Israelites instead.

Let me be clear: fear is not ‘unchristian.’ But fear is not of God. It is the tool the devil uses to distract or derail us. Our response to fear is what should concern us. If we open the door when fear comes knocking, we are offering fear a foothold. We are allowing circumstances to claim a greater stake over our minds than the One who is in control of our circumstances. To be honest, this is a battle with which I often struggle. Instead of leaving my fears with God once and for all, I find myself surrendering them to Him over and over again.

I know God understands my human weakness. Yet He does not want me to dwell in fear, to pitch my tent where He has already promised peace. He wants me to coral those wild, irrational fears and take them captive to Him. He invites me to consciously recognize and identify those fearful thoughts, that inner dialogue that often amplifies my problem, to actively meditate on His promises so they dominate my day rather than those thoughts that are unhelpful or destructive. Here’s a great one for starters: “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3

Prayer: Lord, take those things that cause me to fear and help me to see them through your eyes. Help me to focus not on what I think I know but on what I truly know of you, your presence behind me, your presence before me, your presence with me in every circumstance of life. Amen.

Thought: “Replace what don’t know about the future with what you do know about God!” – Christine Caine