Fear Not the Ghosts and Goblins

Halloween is coming and so it seems that everyone is celebrating ghosts and goblins and bloody skeletons. I prefer celebrating the Lord of hosts and his heavenly kingdom!  But everywhere I go it seems that people are excited about this fear filled day and so demonic images abound in theatres and on television, in offices and on houses, and in costumes that people wear.

In Orange County, CA where I live, even “The Happiest Place on Earth” is filled with creepy stuff, not only in their haunted house, but throughout the park – on Space Mountain and in the fireworks show for instance. It seems Disneyland is trying to compete with Knotts “Scary Farm” that’s become wildly popular. At Knotts Berry Farm this time of year they have staff who actually are paid to scare people! They hide in the bushes or behind walls and jump out at people, letting out blood curling screams.

This time of year there is a lot of hyped up fear. But the truth is that everyday we face real threats. We probably don’t have enough money. We probably have more to do then we could possibly accomplish. We may have pain or health problems. We have loved ones who are suffering. We have to face people who are critical or don’t like us. We will fail at some things. We will experience rejection. We know we will die one day. And in our news everyday we are reminded that there are murders, rapists, and terrorists living nearby.

Most every day I talk to people who are struggling with anxiety or fear. Why do we worry? How come we cower? Because Love is not filling us. And why is that? Because we want to be in charge of our lives. Hopefully, we’ve said a prayer at some point asking Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our life. And we meant it. But are we practicing living in submission to the Lord in the details of our lives?

When we’re anxious we’re not submitted to God – we’re trying to control things. We’re not relying on the Holy Spirit; we’re relying on our natural human abilities. We’re worrying about performing our best, making our situation turn out right, or getting people to think well of us. Absorbed with self we miss the reality of God’s loving presence all around us.

Jesus says, “Fear not!”

But Jesus says to you and I: “Fear not!” Again and again he says this. Throughout the Bible God’s angels and prophets give us the good news: “Fear not!”

Perhaps the most precious “Fear not” in the Bible is Jesus saying: “Fear not little flock for your Father has been pleased to give you his kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Did you take Jesus’ words to heart? Read them again: “Fear not little flock for your Father has been pleased to give you his kingdom.”

Our Good Shepherd is saying to us: “You are my precious sheep and I want you to know my Abba Father as I do: He loves you so much! He delights in you! It has given him great pleasure to provide for you the glorious riches of the kingdom of the heavens. It’s open to you right now. So follow my example and bring yourself and whatever you are doing under the Father’s rule and discover the peace that only comes when you submit yourself completely to God.”

Thank you Lord Jesus Christ: you make me smile! Your minister God’s peace to me – even when all around me there are hellish sights and sounds.

Read my article, “Fear Not! 365 Days a Year” to receive the comfort of God’s Word and to learn the Psalmist’s simple “Fear not” prayer of the heart.

“31 Days to Freedom from Fear” is the daily dose of “Fear nots” from God that we all need. You can form a habit of the heart to be guarded by God’s peace.

God has called my wife and I to face a fear. “News: We’re Stepping Out of the Boat,” tells our story. You too can step out of the boat with Jesus!

Sign up for our new Soul Shepherding Blog, which features a short Scripture meditation and prayer in 1-2 e-mails per week.

Sign up for the Christian Soul Care Devotional, which features an inspirational story on life with Christ in 1-2 e-mails per month.

Let’s be friends online: I post updates and abiding prayers daily on my Facebook and Twitter . 

Sign up for our new Soul Shepherding Blog, which features prayers like “Jesus Smiles at You” in short e-mails 1-2 times per week.

Or sign up for the Christian Soul Care Devotional which features an inspirational story and insight in e-mails 1-2 times per month.

William Gaultiere, Ph.D. is a Psychologist specializing in “Christian Soul Care” since 1986.  Bill and his wife Kristi (a Marriage and Family Therapist) have a donor-supported ministry to pastors and leaders called Soul Shepherding.  In counseling, spiritual mentoring, seminars, and retreats Bill and Kristi help people to connect deeply with Christ in ways that facilitate soul transformation. At Bill and Kristi’s webstie, SoulShepherding.org, you will find articles, prayers, and pictures to nourish your soul in God.