False Evidence Appearing Real
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
A passenger hopped into his rideshare vehicle in order to get to a meeting on a busy morning. Not being too familiar with the area, he tapped his driver on the shoulder to ask about the route. However, the tap startled the driver so bad that he ended up losing control and crashing the car.
A few minutes later, the driver asked, “Are you okay, you scared me half to death.” The passenger responded, “I didn’t realize a tap would be so scary.” The driver replied, “It’s my first day driving for this rideshare company. I spent the last 25 years driving a hearse.” The driver’s irrational fear that the dead had come to life taunted him so bad that he lost control of the vehicle.
While this is an extreme case, we all have irrational fears that guide our behavior and often debilitate our decisions. We think about all the scenarios of how things may go wrong without considering that the outcome may work in our favor. Fear is just (F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal.
While there are certainly real dangers in the world, irrational fears take our attention off God and places that attention on our problems. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God did not give us a spirit of fear. We have to re-direct our energy into trusting God and walking down His secure path. While we cannot avoid all dangers, we have a God that will protect us and provide for us.
Next time you feel fear about a situation you cannot control, pray about it. Your situation may not change, but your attitude and perspective around it will. God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding. You just have to keep your eyes stayed on Him.
A passenger hopped into his rideshare vehicle in order to get to a meeting on a busy morning. Not being too familiar with the area, he tapped his driver on the shoulder to ask about the route. However, the tap startled the driver so bad that he ended up losing control and crashing the car.
A few minutes later, the driver asked, “Are you okay, you scared me half to death.” The passenger responded, “I didn’t realize a tap would be so scary.” The driver replied, “It’s my first day driving for this rideshare company. I spent the last 25 years driving a hearse.” The driver’s irrational fear that the dead had come to life taunted him so bad that he lost control of the vehicle.
While this is an extreme case, we all have irrational fears that guide our behavior and often debilitate our decisions. We think about all the scenarios of how things may go wrong without considering that the outcome may work in our favor. Fear is just (F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal.
While there are certainly real dangers in the world, irrational fears take our attention off God and places that attention on our problems. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God did not give us a spirit of fear. We have to re-direct our energy into trusting God and walking down His secure path. While we cannot avoid all dangers, we have a God that will protect us and provide for us.
Next time you feel fear about a situation you cannot control, pray about it. Your situation may not change, but your attitude and perspective around it will. God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding. You just have to keep your eyes stayed on Him.
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