I watched the two sand crabs patiently dig their holes in the sand only a few feet in front of me. They were diligent and hard working. Each time the creature made his way beneath the surface, his claw would contain a small load of sand that he would cast aside. I have no idea how long it took him to load his tiny self-contained shovel, but he resurfaced every 39 seconds or so. Another smaller version of my friend worked busily a few feet away. Were they digging toward each other, making a tunnel of sorts? I have no idea.
I noticed how carefully they checked their surroundings carefully each time they peeked out of their hole. And I realized that not only were they diligent, but they were also fearful. The slightest movement drove them back beneath the surface. I wondered what it was like to live a life so concerned with my safety that I had to look around before every move I made, or every step I took. I would not want a life defined by that kind of fear.
But just like my crustacean friends, we as believers can become fearful. We can become overly concerned with, or worried about the circumstances around us that we fail to accomplish what has been set before us. We can become so focused on the dangers of life (and they are real), that we become paralyzed and unable to live the life that we are called on to live. In other words, we can let fear direct us as opposed to the Holy Spirit.
Fear is not the same as diligence. We are to be aware of things around us and to put them in a proper perspective (Ephesians 5:15) But Scripture contains an abundance of passages reminding us that we don’t have to live in fear. Here are a few (all references NASB).
“ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
“In peace I will [a]both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)
Our lives are to be characterized by confidence, not in ourselves, but in the one who saved us and who also keeps us. We have a Protector who can be trusted.
We may face danger. We may face persecution. We may be called on to suffer. But even in those circumstances, we should live in confidence that God is in control and that our situation is part of his perfect plan for our lives. Because it is. Our Saviour is strong. He is trustworthy. He is good.
Blessings.