Led by Love

     Recently, I feel like God has been teaching me how not to be led by fear, but by love.  A couple days ago in my Bible reading time (and having then read about the fear of the Lord), a curious, but very impactful thought came to my mind.  When we are afraid, is it a sort of reverence for the problem or concern?  Beth Moore has once said that we can make something into an idol even when we obsess or fear it.  It's the matter that we fear - or give reverence - before the precedence of Jesus. 
     We can be so fearful, intimidated, that we choose not to do something when we should.  This is why fear (the bad kind) is counter to love.  Because by having a reverence (or, in other words, an awe; think being awestruck...what are we struck in awe over?) for the problem, it runs counter to the heart of God.  Reverence and a fear of God helps release control and puts a full trust in Him.  It's a holy fear that actually draws people near, and encourages us to reach out to others.  But when we are led by a worldly fear, it takes the opposite affect.  In giving control (power) to the problem, we become a slave and retreat. 
     We all will fear something or someone.  But to whom or what we fear will determine who we will give control over.  It is a lie to think we'll ever be the one to be in total control.  We are never big enough to handle our storms , and that is why we need to be anchored to Jesus.  And we don't have to be afraid when we fear (have an awe, reverence)  Jesus, because we are willingly giving control to the One who we know is true, righteous, just and good.
     Fear is a reverence and a form of worship, and it will come either as adoration or intimidation.  Intimidation will tell us to hide our faces; deceiving us to believe that we can protect ourselves in our own strength.  But adoration, especially in Jesus, invites us to seek His face.  And it is in His presence that trust allows us to live in peace, because even the winds and waves obey Him.

We learn (and not saying it's easy by any means) to not live by worldly fear (intimidation) by learning to fear God (adoration). It is in worship of the good, Almighty God - reminding ourselves of who He is and what He has done that helps us to overcome fear. First, though, to deal with the guilt of "too little faith", I think the first step of worship is just acknowledgement of the problem and our need for Jesus. "God, I'm in over my head, and I need You." Worship is more than just singing. It's more than what we do in the good times. It is also turning to Jesus in the hard times.
       I've been there- wondering if I'm supposed to bring this great big faith. But what does Jesus ask for? Faith as small as a mustard seed. That is a small seed! We come to Him; He provides the way. And what grace! Even Jesus is already reaching out to us!! Sometimes we doubt, because in the past we have been hurt or disappointed, but God is faithful to honor His Word. It may not be on our timing, or in the way we would like, but God is still true, just, good, and righteous. As I mentioned before, when we remember who God is and what He has done, it gives us faith for our present struggle.
     And I know that in different seasons, we still can get intimidated. I wish when we got saved, it all got figured out. But God reveals His magnitude over time. When we walk with Jesus, I think we find that we progress in our faith in Him. Even if it is one step at a time. What the amazing thing about Jesus is how He invites us to pray, "Help me in my unbelief." We don't have to deny our doubts. We can come before Him boldly, and when we lay our concerns, He is such a loving Father who cares for us in our moments of need.