Pastor YouPing Liu

A story I recently read was about a truck driver who was entrusted to deliver a coffin. On his way he saw a man asking for a ride, and he let him in. Because a sudden rain shower came, the man hid himself in the coffin and closed the lid. Soon, he fell asleep in the coffin since nothing could bother him. As the truck driver continued down the road, he met two other men asking for a ride, and again he let them in. These 2 men were happily sitting beside the coffin. After a while, the man in the coffin woke up, opened the lid and stuck his head out. That really stunned the 2 men and they jumped out of the truck. One fell dead instantly, while the other sustained severe injuries. On the surface, there seemed nothing to be afraid of, but the fact that an unexpected person suddenly appeared out of the coffin, caused tremendous fear. 

In real life, people with great fear are not necessarily facing a big dilemma. They are just fearful even before things happen. They run away ahead of time. Because of that, they suffer tremendously and get severely wounded.

When I was little, I heard a lot about demonic stories. I was so afraid of demons, darkness and the dead. After I became a Christian, I no longer fear demons because I believe that God is the greatest of all, He is all-present and all-powerful. Most importantly, He loves me, dwells in me, and is with me. Thanks be to the Lord! He delivered me from my fears and set me free. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1John. 4:18). 

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Reflections:

1. What are you afraid of the most? What effect does your fear bring to you? Does it help you? 
2. Where does your fear come from? Why does the Bible say, “The one who fears is not made perfect in love”?