Destroying fear

One of my favorite scripture passages is found in Jeremiah 17. The themes found in this passage are of fear, anxiety, endurance and happiness accompanied with living a meaningful life, themes that every man and woman at some point in their lives will address.

The wise old prophet hands down these words from generation to generation, reminding all that trusting wholeheartedly in the Lord generates a tremendous endurance that eradicating fear and anxiety and brings personal fulfillment and growth.

Fear is a paralyzing emotion. Fear can cause us to respond to circumstances and make decisions that later seem irrational.

As a child, Theodore Roosevelt, the war hero, big game hunter and peace-negotiating president, was once terrified of churches. He feared what he called "the zeal," a crocodile-type monster that lurked in the dark corners of Madison Square church waiting to devour him.

His fear was based on a Bible passage read by the minister. John chapter two verse 17 reads, "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."

Fear is brought into our lives by some set of realistic -- or in the young Roosevelt's case, unrealistic -- circumstances that can paralyze our own hearts and lives. Fear can lead us to make decisions and respond to circumstances in ways that we otherwise would not. We compromise or try to please everyone rather than address our fear of losing love.

The fear of losing our jobs leads us to overwork, attempting to prove our value.

The fear of not being successful causes us to never dream or try. Fear can be paralyzing.

Jeremiah reminds all who read his words that men and women who trust wholeheartedly in the Lord will be blessed. He writes comparing that type of trust to " ... a tree planted by the water, that sends it roots by the stream, and does not fear when the heat comes, for its leaves remain green." [emphasis added].

Trusting in the Lord is life-giving, life-sustaining and fear-eradicating no matter what type of heat presses upon your life.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.