aspen said:
When it comes to fear, we are all vulnerable. You can see it most in the words and actions of those who clench their way through life, politics and religion. Over-identification with an ideology or doctrine is a red flag for someone who is actually terrified of losing something. We need to be vigilant in identifying our fears and sacrificing them to God because faith is the antidote to fear, which is the only solution to fanatical violence in our world.
So, what are you afraid of? How is your fear playing a role in your need to control, your need for certainty?
The Psalmist as led by the Lord had the right view in not taking vengeance on those that go out of their way to antagonize and to provoke them, but to leave vengeance to the Lord, and do good instead while waiting for Him, but for those needing a N.T. reference.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
This does not mean no bad thing will happen to you, BUT that the Lord is your Helper & He will help you through it.
That means leaning on Him in not being afraid of the slander that you know is going on about you like calling you a thief and getting a police report on you to watch you as if you are a shop lifter, even though you are not stealing anything & you haven't stolen anything in the past. Why get mad even if your enemies managed to get the police on their side with their slanderings, right? You know you are not stealing, so who cares if they notify all the stores in defamating your character everywhere you go? God will have His vengeance on the liars. ( I am white BTW & FYI, bad things can happen to white people )
Worst case scenario, some punk thinks he or she is doing the store a service by not having to watch you any more by framing you as a shop lifter to get you arrested all for an ego trip. The impulse is to be fed up with it all and go postal, but Jesus is Lord. He is in control and He will help you even if you get cast into jail and convicted. Our treasure is in Heaven, and although we cannot see ourselves as rejoicing in these kinds of persecution, Jesus will carry us thru as He has done for me in the past, and is doing for me in the present, and will do for me in the future.
Proverbs 16:8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. 9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
Psalm 31:13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. 14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God.
I trust the Lord Jesus Christ as my Good Shepherd to help me trust Him more in keeping my eyes on Him & His promises to me so that no matter what the winds of my storms are, He is keeping me in His grace which is to His glory. Amen.