I'm Caught In A Trap

Studies show you can see fear in the eyes.
You can sense it in the body language.
And that makes hiding it pretty tough over the long haul.
We've all been there.
I just hope when it was my turn I didn't look like the guy pictured to the left.


The kind of fear I'm thinking about today is the fear of other people.

What they think.
What they say.
To my face.
Behind my back.
Do they like me?
Am I living up to their expectations?
Are they undermining me in some way?
Minimizing me?
Lying about me?
Gossiping about me?
Will they do something to hurt me in some way?
On the job?
In this family?
I wonder.

It's normal to think like this.
But as followers of Christ, we should be quick to see the error here.

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

Our goal should always be to honor God first and foremost.

Fear God and you'll fear no one else.
This kind of fear is an awe and respect for who God is.
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
He's the one calling the shots.
No matter what's going on.
And he's going to take care of you!

Fear of others is a trap:

Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) 25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Let others do the trap-setting.
It's okay.
The Lord has your back:

Psalm 141:10 (NKJV) "Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I escape safely."

Psalm 37:5-6 (NKJV) 5 "Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday."