I Ain’t Scared of Nothing

When I was a young child, I was terrified of the dark. As I grew older, I gradually became more confident that there was nothing to fear in the dark. One day, my parents asked me to retrieve something from downstairs. Keep in mind that they kept all the lights off downstairs, and they needed something urgently. They asked me, “Are you afraid of the dark?” My boastful seven-year-old self replied, “I ain’t scared of nothing!” I went downstairs, turned on all the lights, got what they needed, and returned upstairs. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

I don’t know how much my childhood story is related to what I’m about to say, but we will find out. One word, FEAR! As I feared the dark, a lot of us fear life. This one word paralyzes people to the point of chaos. I wanted to know why this four letter word put people in paralysis, so I looked it up in the dictionary. Here what the dictionary defined it as:

“An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger”

Merriam-Webster has quantified this word quite effectively. It clearly indicates that a response to a threatening situation, whether real or imagined, physical or physiological, is what paralyzes us. This is a profound concept, and I, for one, comprehend the magnitude of fear. Fear has profoundly impacted my life, especially when viewed through this definition, as it is an inherent human condition. What if I were to inform you that the Merriam-Webster dictionary comprehends scripture? Here’s what Merriam-Webster defined fear as if you were to scroll down just a bit further:

“Profound reverence and awe especially towards God”

If Merriam-Webster acknowledges the greatness of the Heavenly Father, I am certain you are aware of it as well. We have been seeking the incorrect definition of this four-letter word. All we had to do was scroll or read a bit further down to discover the correct answer for the other fear. Scripture provides the reason for this answer:

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

The dictionary and scripture agree on one thing: the Heavenly Father is supreme. HE surpasses any definition that anyone can provide. I hope you don’t mind, but I’m about to delve into some deeper topics. The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek and later translated into English. Consequently, certain words in the Bible may not have the same meaning as they do in American English. Therefore, you’ll need to consult a concordance or lexicon to understand the meanings of specific words or phrases. I hope I haven’t lost you, because the word of God is far more profound than you might think.

As we wrap up, let’s take a moment to see this word in a new light using scripture: “The reverence of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” To put it simply, by showing respect for the Heavenly, we gain wisdom and a deeper understanding of who the Heavenly Father is. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to turn that other definition of fear upside down and throw it out the window. There’s only one kind of fear, and it’s the fear of the Heavenly Father. So, let’s shout it from the mountaintops, “I ain’t scared of nothing!”

Next Step:

Reflect on a time when fear paralyzed you. Consider how the fear of the LORD would have provided you with wisdom and understanding to overcome that fear.

God bless you, God keep you. God loves you and I love you too!