Escaping Fear Traps

You have surely faced anxiety to the point where you have been eaten away by it. Public misrepresentation is a good example. When people slander you, and you are not able to respond or contain the damage. Such was the experience of the speaker. There are three common traps you are in danger of falling into when you are tempted to become consumed with fear. The first is doubt, the second is worry, and the third, envy. Doubt asks, "Why me?" "Why now?" "What is God doing?" Yet even as Christians suffer in this way, the word of God brings relief. It doesn't deny the reality of suffering, but is great enough to bring real relief. Worry questions the presence of God. It asks the questions, "What if?" and "If only?" As a result it asks whether I will survive this calamity or not. Scripture reassures us that that which is most important is not at stake. Life is found in God Himself. Envy questions the wisdom of God. It reasons that if you had what others have, your life would be significantly better. This mindset bemoans the things you don't have rather than rejoicing in the things you do. Also, you can't evaluate God by looking at him through this moment. God's salvation is eternal. Grace focuses you on what is eternal during your suffering in time. How will you interpret your suffering? Will you avoid these three traps into which fear drives you?