Today’s study is fairly straight-forward; Selwyn talks about the fight or flight response to danger.
I like his summary of fear: “When we are confronted by danger, fear motivates us to flee. It hastens our retreat. It says to us: to do battle against this person or thing will be ineffective – run!”
Yet, I feel, that the worst type of fear, is a generalised fear of the ‘unknown, hard to define, ever-present’ fear of disaster or failure. It’s the vague fear of loss: of family, of home, of work, of health, or of security. In these times of ‘terror attacks’, there is a heightened awareness that terror could strike – unexpectedly, without warning. It’s understandable that this type of fear could become, a ‘constant’ companion which holds us back from living an effective life.
Selwyn uses Psalm 55, to illustrate a point about fear; yet, this Psalm is more about false friendships, and the immense hurt that can arise when the falsehood is discovered (especially, during times we are suffering a number of attacks from external sources.) Yet, David places his trust in God – who will never be ‘false’; and, will always listen to his prayers.
Psalm 55:1-16 (New Living Translation: “Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down. My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.
Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. How quickly I would escape - far from this wild storm of hatred.
Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans, for I see violence and conflict in the city. Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city. Everything is falling apart; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.
It is not an enemy who taunts me – I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me – I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.
Let death stalk my enemies; let the grave swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within them.
But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. … “
The last verse, highlighted above, is the way to handle all fear – even the disabling fear of unknown terrors – take your fears to God in prayer; He will rescue you – He will give you the strength, His strength, to overcome any fear.
Fight or flight?
Today’s study is fairly straight-forward; Selwyn talks about the fight or flight response to danger.
I like his summary of fear: “When we are confronted by danger, fear motivates us to flee. It hastens our retreat. It says to us: to do battle against this person or thing will be ineffective – run!”
Yet, I feel, that the worst type of fear, is a generalised fear of the ‘unknown, hard to define, ever-present’ fear of disaster or failure. It’s the vague fear of loss: of family, of home, of work, of health, or of security. In these times of ‘terror attacks’, there is a heightened awareness that terror could strike – unexpectedly, without warning. It’s understandable that this type of fear could become, a ‘constant’ companion which holds us back from living an effective life.
Selwyn uses Psalm 55, to illustrate a point about fear; yet, this Psalm is more about false friendships, and the immense hurt that can arise when the falsehood is discovered (especially, during times we are suffering a number of attacks from external sources.) Yet, David places his trust in God – who will never be ‘false’; and, will always listen to his prayers.
Psalm 55:1-16 (New Living Translation: “Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
My enemies shout at me, making loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me and angrily hunt me down. My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.
Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. How quickly I would escape - far from this wild storm of hatred.
Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans, for I see violence and conflict in the city. Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city. Everything is falling apart; threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.
It is not an enemy who taunts me – I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me – I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.
Let death stalk my enemies; let the grave swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within them.
But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. … “
The last verse, highlighted above, is the way to handle all fear – even the disabling fear of unknown terrors – take your fears to God in prayer; He will rescue you – He will give you the strength, His strength, to overcome any fear.