HELLO, MI neighbour! | Fear outside of God cripples; fear of God enables

HELLO, MI neighbour! Some of our neighbours had no light, no water, no roof, no food, no friends, etc. during and in the aftermath of Beryl. Oh no! The wind, rain and flood “took us like a storm” and took some things from us. Been a tough one, especially for those on the south coast. Even as we mourn the loss of lives, we give thanks for answered prayers. The devastation could have been 10 times worse! It’s now time, as a community, to form coalitions and help with the recovery process.

Some neighbours are still fearful, alone, lonely, and finding it difficult to cope. The troubling question is, will another Cat 4 come at us soon? We pray not. Some are crippled by fear.

Do you know what it’s like to be alone in the dark without water, electricity or telephone/Internet? But that was not a big issue in comparison to those who suffered (are still suffering) greater inconveniences.

In the dark and alone one night, feeling somewhat depressed, anxious and fearful, I started praying for day to break. At break of day, there was still no electricity, water or telephone. Realising that my hands were tied, I made the decision to enjoy my day to the max, despite those inconveniences. Was not about to slink any deeper into depression and sadness. After spreading bed, brushing teeth, washing face, I went for a walk and checked on my little backyard garden, singing lustily, “This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it …”

Hush, neighbours. Had to fix my mind. And I’m pretty sure that some of them could have been singing along in their mind. Within an hour or so, I was at peace and could enjoy my day. Fear and anxiety with all their trappings had broken.

So, here is one of our main problems on this earth, especially when we are faced with situations over which we have no control: FEAR – that crippling debilitating emotion that affects mankind! Take a seat again, and let’s talk a little about this emotion.

Fear is a natural human emotion and can be futile in many ways. It has the power to hold us back by making us fearful of rejection, the unknown and our fellowmen.

This emotion is irrational, often unfounded, and leads to unesessary worry. It paralyses and prevents us from living our dreams.

While fear is natural and affects the least to the greatest saint or sinner, it need not control us. By acknowledging and addressing our fears, we can break free from them.

There are two main fears:

1. Fear of God which is the “beginning of wisdom”. This type is about respect for His wisdom, majesty and power. This fear acknowledges that God can make anything happen, and can provide unlimited peace and protection. Fear of God also includes fear of God’s wrath.

2. Spirit of fear which is fear of man, fear of punishment and fear of the unknown.

Despite the naturalness of what I would call the common fear, which may even form a rational basis for decision-making, there is really no need to walk in fear. Fear causes us to trust in things and people which/who will always disappoint, rather than the Creator who alone is always right. To make decisions free of fear, we must allow God to take over our circumstances that cause us to fear.

Whenever we take our fears to Him, we leave with solutions and come to recognise the futility of fear outside of fear of God, who alone can free us from the shackles of present and future fears!

Here’s a pray for your deliverance from fears, especially at this time: ‘Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me …’.

Hope I helped you.

Fear outside of God cripples; fear of God enables.

Freedom!!!

CAN YOU ASSIST SOMEONE FROM THE LIST BELOW?

Stove, refrigerator, bed, food, help with medication, financial assistance to start a little business.

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636 Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.