I was just a few minutes away from major surgery. Nurses circulated through the room and I was hooked up to all sorts of monitors. Suddenly, a computer screen started blipping wildly. What was happening? Would I be all right? A nurse glanced at the readout and announced that it was monitoring my heart rate.
I needed to calm down! I’m not the only one who has experienced anxiety before a big event. One peek at the Philistine army caused King Saul to become “frantic with fear” (1 Samuel 28:5). Fear’s influence increased until it controlled the king.
It started out with fear of the Philistines, but then Saul realized that because of some prior disobedience (1 Samuel 15:7-26), “the Lord refused to answer him” when he asked for advice (1 Samuel 28:6). Silence from God can make a frightening situation even scarier. So, instead of repenting, Saul ordered his advisors to find a spiritist.
Saul’s fear was evident as he “disguised himself by wearing ordinary clothing . . . . Then he went to the [witch’s] home at night” (1 Samuel 28:8). It was against his own law to consult with anyone who summoned dead spirits (1 Samuel 28:3,9), and he was afraid of getting caught!
Still in panic mode, Saul asked Samuel’s spirit for advice. Samuel said that the Philistines would trounce Israel, killing Saul and his sons the very next day. Hearing this, “Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright” (1 Samuel 28:20).
When terror has control of us, it can immobilize us and make us ineffective. That’s one reason God doesn’t want us to live in the grip of fear. As Christians, we “have not received a spirit that makes [us] fearful slaves” (Romans 8:15). Rather, we’re supposed to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Letting God’s Spirit control our minds “leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:6), instead of frantic feelings.
More:
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
Next:
Why is it important to practice responding to the Holy Spirit? What other emotions, besides fear, can threaten to take us over? What should we do when we experience them?
Invisible on October 26, 2010 at 6:46 am
Not to long ago I was experiencing great fear related to a former relationship. The person was deceased but still seemed to have enough control over me to keep me fearful, or so I believed. I wanted to be freed from it. Someone was sharing things about God with me and that I could turn from my fear and instead turn to God. I did not believe it at the time and instead turned to the teachings of a Medium (Sylvia Browne) hoping that she could intercede for me or perhaps I could learn enough to find out why this person had so hated me. Doing so only caused me to fear even more and I decided that I had made a big mistake. One thing I remember clearly was being told that I had to choose who I would turn to. No pressure, just fact. I learned that I was playing with things that were not a game, and I’m grateful to say that before long I turned away from it and started seeking God instead. After doing so much of that fear left me.
Great article. Thanks.
Bri on October 26, 2010 at 9:25 am
Great Word for the day. Of note the graphic of the heart monitor above today’s devotional reflects vitals signs of a dying patient – heart rate 178, pulse oximetry-87%, BP – 69/38. I can’t help to reflect how fear can be fatal. God will never leave or forsake but despite that promise I allow fear to consume me. Faith is the antidote – Jesus sealed the victory – I can live in freedom! Thanks
jennifer benson schuldt on October 26, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Invisible,
I appreciate your testimony. It’s important for everyone to know that spiritual forces are real, and that we should never try to contact those who are deceased. Ephesians 6:12 says, “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
jennifer benson schuldt on October 26, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Bri,
I liked what you said about today’s graphic! And, thanks for your comment: “Fear is fatal, but faith is the antidote”. That is SO true. The Bible encourages us to “hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery darts of the devil” (Ephesians 6:16). When we put our trust in God, our fears subside. It’s sometimes hard to move from fearing to trusting, but it can be done. Prayer and scripture memory can help. We serve an incredible Savior!
daisymarygoldr on October 26, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Agree about prayer and Bible reading.
The story of Saul and the witch of Endor conveys a fundamental, time-tested truth: Unrepentant sin is one of the main hindrances to unanswered prayers (Psalm 66:18).
Saul did confess that he had sinned not once but twice (1 Sam 15: 24, 30). Confession is not repentance. And so, with an unrepentant heart Saul prayed to God, but God did not answer.
“One sin leads to another”. When there was no response from God, Saul went to a witch to seek guidance instead of persevering in prayer to seek His help (I Chronicles 10:14).
In times when heaven is silent, we must ask God to reveal if there is any hidden sin within us. It is wise not to look for help elsewhere but to repent and be persistent in prayer—to search the scriptures and seek God’s face for His answer.
“When people tell you, “Try out the fortunetellers. Consult the spiritualists. Why not tap into the spirit-world, get in touch with the dead?”Tell them, “No, we’re going to study the Scriptures.” (Isaiah 8:19-22 The Msg)