Are You Guided by Fear?
Have you ever made a decision out of fear and then regretted it? I have. Fear is not a sound foundation for decision making. When you are guided by fear, you can’t think clearly.
More importantly, fear blocks faith.
In I Samuel 17, we learn that for forty days Israel ran in fear when threatened by Goliath. In contrast, David, a young lad, was not afraid when the giant threatened. In faith, David faced Goliath and single-handedly defeated him.
I recently faced a decision that filled me with fear. It would seem to be a simple matter. I had an opportunity to visit my only daughter while Robert was out of town. I rarely see her and looked forward to the visit. But t was afraid to go.
I’ve been having migraines and wasn’t sure I could make the trip alone. A recent simple car trip with Robert gave me a 3-day migraine. I don’t know what I would have done without his help.
Traveling with a migraine is rough. The thought of traveling alone with a migraine terrified me. How could I make plans when I didn’t know what I would face? Just going to the airport could undo me, much less handling luggage, change of planes in Atlanta, and more. Because I couldn’t see down the path, the unknown loomed before me.
I prayed and agonized for several weeks, but couldn’t decide. I didn’t want fear to dictate my decision—whether “no” because of fear, or “yes” to avoid being ruled by it. After emailing someone asking for prayer, I went to the piano in search of peace, opened a hymn book, and played where it opened.
The Lord spoke to me through the words of a hymn. “What have I to fear, what have I to dread, leaning on the ever-lasting arms?” If I can lean on Robert as I travel, surely I can trust Jesus and lean on Him. David had courage and ability to defeat Goliath because he leaned on the Lord. God triumphed through David. And God hasn’t changed.
My fear vanished. I knew I could lean on the Lord and had peace knowing God would be with me. I had faith to make reservations. Proverbs 3:5-6 came to mind:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean/depend/rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.
A week passed as we waited to learn which days would be best for my daughter. I remained at peace except for a brief time of doubt. A couple of days later, Robert said, “I don’t know how you’re going to make it,” but we didn’t pursue the subject.
And yet, when we talked to our daughter, we both felt that now is not the time for me to make the trip.
Nothing changed except the direction we heard from the Lord. He led me to stay home and gave me peace with the decision. When I leaned on Him, He didn’t walk with me through the airport. He led me to a peaceful decision.
If I had made that choice out of fear, the loss would be painful. I would regret that I didn’t get to spend the week with my daughter.
I would also have questioned my decision. What ifs and maybes would have haunted 
me as I thought about other options. Furthermore, I would have been tempted to wonder about my lack of faith to trust God and move forward. Peace would have alluded me.
As it is, I have peace about not going. Rather than grieving the loss, I trust that it is best for my daughter as well as for me. And I’ve grown in confidence that I can hear my Shepherd’s voice.
When we’re guided by fear, it steals our peace and joy. If we lean on Jesus, we can experience peace in spite of the unknown or when the way is rough, because we know that Jesus will be with us and lead us.
How has the Lord guided and given you peace when fear loomed in your life?