PART TWO
Picking up where we left off…
Today, we’re remembering Lot’s wife (again) and still gleaning life lessons from her story. If you haven’t had a chance to read part one of this series, you’ll want to do so to ensure you get the full context of today’s discussion. Here’s a quick link to part one.
Why a pillar of salt?
Have you ever wondered how the punishment was chosen for Lot’s Wife? It was one of the many questions I pondered as I studied this part of scripture. She could have just died, couldn’t she? Instead, God found it fitting to turn her into a pillar of salt. Why was she permanently preserved in that state of bondage? Because…in her faithlessness, there was an underlining current, that current was fear…and, this is exactly what fear does. Fear holds us captive, if we allow it. Keeping us bound to situations, places and even people that we have no right being with. Be it that our seasons there have come to an end or they were not ours to begin with.
Examining fear
Anxious thoughts, feelings of overwhelm, and ultimately fear, are usually preceded by us questioning “what if”? …What if I fail? What if I don’t find a new job? What if I fail at this new business venture? What if I don’t pass this exam?
Matthew 6:27 says this:
“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” (NASB)
Apart from this, countless times throughout the Bible, God chides us…”Fear not”
Succumbing to fear is in essence saying, what if God fails? or what if God forsakes me. As believers, however, we should be always confident that none of these two scenarios is possible.
Good news!
Inevitably, we will be faced with situations which are daunting. We are human and our mental and physical reaction will normally be one of fear. Even Jesus encountered such an agonising experience immediately before His trek to the cross. Note His response though, He goes to our Father in prayer. He made a conscious decision to focus on the One Who is in ultimate control and to draw strength from this Source. He chose not to succumb to fear.
In the same way, we have access to our Heavenly Father, in moments when fear would want to take hold of us. Philippians 4:6 teaches us “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (NASB)
Our heart!
When fear presents itself, rather than allowing it turn you into a pillar of salt, paralysed in faithless disobedience to God, we encourage you to share the full extent of your emotions to God and trust that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
