“We Should Fear, Love and Trust in God above All Things”

We live in a world where more and more there is an attempt to control the masses through fear. Indeed, fear is a great tool for manipulation. From an internet search on fear and control, this quote appeared: “How can fear be used to control? When one is gripped by fear of a threat, real or imagined, their rational and higher cognitive capacities shut down, making them easily manipulable by anyone that promises safety from the threat” (https://academyofideas.com/2015/11/fear-and-social-control/).
    

social media obsessed culture is constantly barraged with fear warnings, global climate change, shootings, kidnapping, terrorist attacks, water shortages, food shortages, diseases, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, extreme cold, extreme hot, worker shortages, wars, one group imposing on others, etc. Indeed, it is no wonder there are more and more people experiencing fear, anxiety, and worry in our world today.
 

The next question, after those first two paragraphs is: What is true and what is not true? Indeed, we know today that it is getting more and more difficult to know what is true, what is fact, and who to trust. Certainly you have heard me say this fact many times, very often humans make mistakes and get it wrong. God’s Word is never wrong. So, whenever humans speak contrary to what God says, I am going to believe God and figure the humans have gotten it wrong.
 

Certainly we all struggle with fear, worry and anxiety at times and maybe even many times. Fear, worry, and anxiety affect different people in many different ways. For some anxiety brings them to the point of needing professional assistance, perhaps even anxiety-relieving medicines. For others anxiety may be relieved through exercise, a hobby, or some other distraction. For some it may be relieved through any number of focusing training. Perhaps it might be helpful to simply turn off the media at times or to search and find trusted outlets for information and certainly seek places to find good news, good thoughts, and Godly content.
 

So, how does this information help one in combating fear, worry, and anxiety? If we can understand the root of our anxiety, perhaps there are ways we can gain relief before it even starts. Fighting anxiety can begin in two ways. First, as the title states, as Luther so well explains the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me. What does this mean? We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.” And second as the Apostle John so well states, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18). And even more, as Jesus Himself encourages, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
 

God is love. God loves us. He loves you. His desire is to give you all the gifts and blessings He has to give. His ways are best. Cling to the promise of Jesus as the writer to the Hebrews says, “for [Jesus] has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5b). Jesus’ love is perfect love, and His perfect love keeps us in His care and safety.
 

As I have said many times, “What’s the worst thing that can happen?” Answer, “You can die.” “And if you die, what happens?” “You go to heaven and is that bad?”
 

So, let me encourage you in your own faith life and faith walk. Do not depend on yourself, but depend on Christ. Make regular and diligent use of the means of grace. Remember your baptism. Read and come and hear the Word proclaimed. Be in Divine Service and Bible Class. Have personal and family devotions. Come to confession and hear those most beautify words of absolution, “Your sins are forgiven.” Come to the Lord’s Table and eat His body and drink His blood for the forgiveness of sins and for strengthening in faith. And have confidence in your salvation because your salvation is secure in Christ.