Fear of What If

Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, (Psalm 64:1-3 ESV)

Don't read those verses too fast. On the surface it looks like David is asking for God to save him from his enemies. But if you look closely, he's asking God to keep him from the fear (dread) of his enemies. He's asking God to spare him from what his enemies threaten against him.

What a great prayer to pray!

How often we let the fear of things and people dictate what we do when we may never even face them in reality. I read somewhere that 80% of what we worry about never happens. That's the dread of our enemies, the fear of what someone or something may do to us. David sets a great example for us, showing us to pray for a mind that is not held captive by what negative thing may happen. A mind in perfect peace.

We cannot and must not live by "what if" fears. That's what the Psalmist has decided.

But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. (Psalm 64:7-9 ESV)

The Psalmist is going to let God take care of them, he's going to let their own tongues ruin them, his concern is for the glory of God.

What are you letting dictate fear into your life? The unknown? The possible problem? It hasn't happened yet and it may never happen. You are not meant to live in fear.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 ESV)