I'm scared -- conclusion and question

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord. (v 13-14)

Do you talk to yourself?

I know I do. 

Sometimes it just helps to verbalize things. It's good to actually hear what we are thinking, especially if we are affirming something important. The last two verses of this psalm sound like David is talking to himself (my grandma would say he was giving himself a good talking-to!). 

When we are frightened, and when we are worried because we can't "hear" God speaking to us, it's good to talk to ourselves and reaffirm the goodness and care of God. It lessens the possibility of our doubting His care and compassion, and it reminds us of our own needs to keep waiting on Him. This isn't a passive attitude. This isn't resignation, accepting the situation. This is active and enthusiastic:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

That's how Paul viewed it; we can tell ourselves, "Yep, I believe that God is. And I believe He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. And that's me - I'm seeking Him with all my heart!"

As often as we allow fear to bother us, we can bring our thinking back on course. Just like a sailor keeping his boat on course, looking at a compass or a star, we can reaffirm our faith in the Lord and make certain we are on the path where we should be.

We said at the beginning that there wasn't a lucky charm. No rabbit's foot.

We said, too, that there was no simple formula. No quick and easy way to overcome fear. After all, if there was a quick and easy way out, we'd forget all about that deep relationship with God until the next crisis came along!

Instead, this is a way of life: seeking the Lord is the way to overcome fear. It's a daily thing. Sometimes an hourly thing, or even minute-by-minute! Staying in a close relationship with Him is a constant process.

I heard an illustration years ago that made perfect sense about this concept -- it seems that many years ago, some tribes in the jungles of Africa responded to a missionary's work in telling them the gospel. They didn't have a church building to gather in, like we do, so they cleared a central spot in the jungle where they could meet for prayer. Over time, there came to be individual trails from many different directions - all converging on the prayer spot they'd chosen. Believers walked the trails through the grass and undergrowth to reach the place where they could meet with God in prayer.

Whenever a Christian seemed to be distracted from the meetings, losing his "first love," the other believers would exhort him, and say, "Brother (or sister), the grass is growing long on your path." 

What about our own paths?

Are we diligent in seeking the Lord each day? Do we meditate on His beauty and mercy? Do we pray and seek that close relationship with Him?

That is the way to overcome our fears.

I'd like to ask if you would consider this question and leave an answer in the comments. It's not mandatory - just leave a response if you feel so led. How would you counsel a fearful person? What would you say or do? What points would you talk about? Would you use verses? Personal examples? 

I look forward to reading if anyone would like to comment.