Whom do you Fear?

     Have you ever been afraid or feared the disapproval of others?  It can be a paralyzing fear for some.  I think most of us care what others think about us...but it can so hamper our lives if we let it become more important than what God thinks about us.
     Jesus said that He came to give us life abundantly and to set us free from the law of sin and death.  We need to walk in that freedom...but first, we have to correct our faulty, worldly thinking.
     Look at Isaiah 51:7-16:  "Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, you people in whose heart is My law:  Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults.  For the moth will eat them up like a garment and the worm will eat them like wool.  But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation."  Then look at vs 12 of this passage:  "I, even I, am He who comforts you.  Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass?  And you forget the Lord your Maker who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth..."  These are powerful words from God which should bring us comfort and strength.
     Yes, we need to care about the feelings of others, but not the extent that we forget that our lives are to be pleasing to God above all else.  The world and its ungodly peer pressure has driven many Christians to compromise their values and beliefs in order to fit in.  God says...My standards are what will last from generation to generation....My salvation and My creativity have made this world!  Man is here today and gone tomorrow and yet, we often are paralyzed by what our neighbor thinks of us.
     Proverbs 29:25 says:  "The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe."  We cannot depend on this world that is passing away.  Our sure foundation which is the "same yesterday, today and forever" is found in our Lord, our God, our Rock!  Through the blood of Jesus, we have all that we need for this life.  So let us keep our eyes on Him and not be concerned about what people think.  Instead, let us ask God every day, "What do you think about this", and seek His answers in the Word and through prayer.  Then, we will have the peace which passes all understanding, and it will guard our hearts and minds in Christ!  Selah!

Isn't it comforting to know that God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins?  I welcome your thoughts on this.  Please feel free to share them here.