To hear this Morning Devotion, please click Fear buttons
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Everybody has fear buttons.
I’m talking about those buttons in our individual lives that are periodically pushed by others or by unexpected life circumstances.
We might get by for a bit when others “tap, tap, tap” on those buttons, but sooner or later the fear monster jumps up like a jack in the box and we’re discombobulated for a bit…. or for a long time.
Some buttons involve strained, core relationships that are on thin ice.
Some buttons involve failing finances that are barely keeping up with even a minimal standard of living.
Some buttons involve a lengthening list of aches and pains that appear destined for deterioration into serious health woes.
And some buttons involve people who seem to pad their sense of joy by taking away yours via mean words or actions.
Oh yeah, there are also the buttons involving job loss, national political turmoil, community immorality, and many others.
I doubt that you have all these buttons on your chest.
I imagine, though, that you have at least one of them.
Even if it is smaller and it is somewhat obscured by your shield of faith.
God knows we have these buttons. It’s part of our human existence.
God also knows that He’s provided the remedy for fear buttons.
It’s the big button called “FAITH” that we can choose to place over our heart.
The more that we push that FAITH button, the smaller the fear buttons become and the smaller the fear monster appears when somebody or something does push the fear button.
Because of a growing faith, we can experience a shrinking fear of feeling abandoned if somebody breaks a relationship with us.
Because of a growing faith, we can remain hopeful even when our net worth and mortgage status are screaming “Hopeless!”
And because of a growing faith, we can keep hope-filled even when the doctor’s face is glum, when the gossip factory against us is running three shifts and when our once-wholesome society sprints toward godlessness.
Here is the key fact in all of this — God is still on the throne.
And He promises to sustain and save the souls of those who seek and serve Him.
That is all the reason we need to push the FAITH button whenever one or more of our fear buttons are being pushed by another or by circumstances.
I was reminded this morning in my One-Year Bible reading that faith always trumps fear when people see God accurately.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident….
“For He will conceal me there when troubles come; He will hide me in His sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” (Psalm 27:1-4, 5 NLT)
Life has been pushing several of my fear buttons lately. It hasn’t been enjoyable, to say the least.
But for every push on the fear button by a circumstance or by a particular person, I’ve learned to P.U.S.H. even harder and more frequently on the FAITH button.
P.U.S.H. as in continuing to pray until something happens.
Why? Because of my absolute confidence that the same God who WILL deliver my soul to the eternal blessing of His presence will also deliver earthly blessings to me so that I can serve Him as a poster child for faith overcoming fear.
He’s done it before. He’ll do it again. For me. And for you.
We just have to keep pushing the big button in the middle.
As always, I love you
Martin
Mom and I read and listened to your devotion this morning. It was very meaningful and encouraging. We had just finished reading the passages in the One Year Bible and praying. Thank you for your timely and faithful message. With love, Mom and Lori