WHY YA'LL SO SCARED ALL THE TIME? (Inspired by my spiritual sister)

Sir Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

If have been more blessed than the man who explained gravity for   I have walked in the company of giants.  I have studied with great men and great women.  I have sat in classrooms where genius was writing in a seat next to mine.  I went to Alabama State University.

Last night I heard a member of my own ASU freshmen class of 1989 preach.  Rev. Dr. Wendy Coleman delivered a Word with song so spiritually deep that it brought silence to a BLACK CHURCH!  All we could do for a moment was just weep wave our hands.  Wendy taught us and challenged us.  She walked us through (literally WALKED down the aisle with a bowl of fruit) God’s message of Peace & Fruitfulness.  And like all master teachers, she provoked deeper thought and study, extending the lesson beyond her words. 

Which is how I found myself waking to re-examine Mark 4: 40.

[After calming a storm on the sea, Jesus] said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”   

Why are you so fearful?

In the Book of Matthew, the word “fearful” is not the same as the word “afraid.”  Afraid is translated from the word phobeo, which refers to an act, moment, or emotion.  Fearfulis the translation of the word deilos, which refers more to a personality trait or a persistent state of being.

In Mark 4: 40, Jesus’ 1^st question to His disciples could well be translated,  “Why ya’ll so scared all the doggone time?”

The greatest obstacle to walking in powerful, mountain-moving faith is not the onset of crises.  The chief enemy of greatness is not the momentary rise of difficult obstacles, the sudden appearance of ruthless opposition, nor the unforeseen occurrence of heart-breaking disappointment.  No, the chief enemy of greatness is BEING SCARED ALL THE DOGGONE TIME.

We’re afraid that the words aren’t quite right.  We’re afraid that we’re not quite pretty enough yet.  We’re afraid they won’t like us.  We’re afraid she’ll/ he’ll say something mean about it.  And when there’s nothing else to be afraid of, we’re afraid that it’s too easy.

Why you so scared all the doggone time?

Fear has 2 antidotes.  One is FAITH (Mark 4:40; Hebrews 11: 27; Revelations 2: 10).  

Hebrews 11:27 By faith [Noah] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 

Revelations 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

The other antidote to fear is LOVE. (2 Timothy 1: 7)

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 

Why do you fail to live in the greatness you know is in you? 

You scared.

Why don’t you walk in the promises God has made to you? 

You scared.

You’re always afraid.

But, it’s O.K., now.

Now you have the cure for your fear.

LOVE.  Love God.  Love people.  Love even yourself.  Love as you once feared, not just as a moment of emotion, but as a way of life.

HAVE FAITH--- not just as an emotional I-believe-I-can-fly moment in church, but have faith and live faith/ faithfully to God’s Word.  Daily and continuously hold to God’s Commands and Promises as TRUTH and as FACT.

See the greatness around you.  Draw inspiration and strength from the struggles and the achievements of the geniuses and giants who walk the Earth today.

Love.  Believe.  

Don’t be scurred.

----- Anderson T. Graves II

Rev. Anderson T. Graves II is the pastor of Hall Memorial CME Church

Call/ fax: 334-288-0577

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Hall Memorial CME Church
541 Seibles Rd.,
Montgomery, AL 36116