Spider Web Of Fear
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power, love, and sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
I was listening to a video from America’s frontline doctors when her opening words stunned me. I stopped in my tracks and jotted a note for later pondering. It stuck with me and resonated with what I am seeing and hearing all around me on this July 2020 afternoon.
“Americans are riveted and captured by fear at the moment. We are not held down by the virus as much as we are being held down by the spider web of fear. That spider web is constricting us and draining the lifeblood from us…”
The words feel appropriate because I am quite familiar with both spider webs and fear. Just two days ago, I sleepily stumbled down the steps to take my dog out for his morning routine. When more awake, I usually wave my arms in front of me in hopes of knocking down all the webs that have been woven during the night. They are fascinating to observe, but they are no fun to wear. In one brief second, I was covered in the sticky silk, now being trapped in its intricate details. I wiped my face and arms and then flipped my head over to run my fingers through my hair, making sure I didn’t inherit the spider along with the web.
This thing called fear is definitely a sticky, dangerous spider web. One string is quite annoying, but when you walk through a web, you are trapped like a bug. Once trapped in the web, the spider pulls you in close and slowly seeks to destroy you. And yes, the doctor is right--fear will drain the very life out of you.
You know the feeling, don’t you?
It’s one little strand of concern that quickly turns to worry and before you know it, the web of fear and unbelief is being spun around your heart. Suddenly you find yourself wavering and doubting, fearing and worrying through sleepless nights. You plot and plan the future with all of it’s possible scenarios, only to realize you don’t have control over the story called your life. Fear strangles you and oxygen doesn’t easily flow to your heart of faith. It constricts your faith artery and leads you right into heart failure. That’s where unbelief sets in. You can eventually find yourself wondering if you believe God even hears you anymore or if He is who He really says He is.
Let’s just call it what it is. The spider behind it all is the enemy of our souls. He knows that if he can trap us in his web, we will be entangled by his lies. His ultimate goal is heart failure leading us to unbelief.
It can not be ignored. Call it what it is. A spider web of fear! Just go ahead and say it.
“Lord, I am trapped in a spider web of fear. I confess it, Lord. I am believing the voice of fear over the voice of faith. Forgive me, Lord. Deliver me, Lord.”
It’s time we wake up and brush off those webs and believe our God!
This fear is not from Him, for He has given us power, love and a sound mind. We brush off the sticky web of lies by declaring and believing the truth. Go after it with a tenacious spirit. Flip your head over and give it a brushing to rid your head of the spider and his intricate web that is trapping you.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
You don’t have to remain entangled. Come on, let’s go after it together. Put your arms out in front of you and knock down those sticky lies of fear before they get on you.
God, You are the author of my story. God, You hold my today and You are already in my tomorrow. I don’t have to fear what tomorrow looks like, because You have designed it, created it and provided everything I will need in it. I don’t have to fear what man can do to me, because I belong to my God. God, You are greater than any virus, any sickness, any disease, any economic crisis, any injustice, any thing! My God, You are who You say YOU are and You can do what YOU say You can do! I BELIEVE YOU, GOD!
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1