"The Two Faces of Fear: Destructive Anxiety vs. Reverence for God"

With a sudden bang on my door, I jerked awake. I listened intently, trying to figure out if I would hear a familiar voice. Then, I heard my name called out in panic—it was my neighbor. In a rush, I quickly opened the door.

Ola had a flight booked to leave the country at 1 p.m. But to his surprise, it had been rescheduled to 5 a.m. He only discovered this at 12:47 a.m.

How often do we panic in tense situations?

How often do we assume the worst, like thinking we’re going to be robbed whenever we hear unusual sounds in the middle of the night?

Many of us panic over the smallest things. Most of the time, these situations bring uncertainty, and before we know it, the spirit of fear takes over.

There’s a kind of fear that is destructive, and then there’s the fear of the Lord.

Destructive Fear
This is the kind of anxiety and dread that overwhelms us. It prevents believers from enjoying their redemptive rights and leads us to doubt God's ability to protect, provide, and love us. This kind of fear makes us question our faith and belief in the Lord. In fact, Psalm 112 calls it "the fear of bad news."

Psalm 112:7-8 says:
7 "They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
8 Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end, they will look in triumph on their foes."

The Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We see this in 2 Corinthians 7:1 and Hebrews 12:28. There’s a big difference between the fear of the Lord and the spirit of fear. Someone who fears the Lord may be afraid of His judgment regarding a sin they’ve committed. This was evident in the Garden of Eden when God called out to Adam and Eve. They hid because they were afraid of what God might do to them. Their fear was not out of awe but rather fear of judgment.

The fear of the Lord is a holy kind of fear. This was the kind of fear Moses experienced when he encountered the burning bush and again when he met God physically.

A person who truly fears the Lord is more concerned about doing things that are pleasing to Him. They fear being separated from His presence and doing things that He doesn’t approve of. This is a healthy kind of fear that leads to transformation. When the Bible says, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling," it's talking about this holy fear—the kind of fear that blesses God’s people.

Psalm 112:1 (NIV) says:
"Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands."

God gives believers spirit of strength and sound mind in place of fear.

STARTING WITH THE LORD: Navigating Life's Uncertain Paths.

Trusting God's Guidance on Uncharted Paths

I thought I had everything figured out when the Lord told me that He wanted me to go on a journey to a place I had never been before—a place where I knew no one. At first, I found myself wondering, “What will I do there? I don’t know anyone, and I have no place to stay.” These were the exact thoughts running through my mind as I pondered the situation.

But then, at the moment of reflection, I realized something important: the same Lord who gave me this instruction is the one who has the power to provide for me and carry out His plan. It’s easy to forget that, especially when we’re faced with uncertainty. But when we trust in God’s guidance, we discover that He has everything in control.

As I began to follow His instruction, it became evident that God’s hand was involved. At every step, He showed up, guiding me in ways that confirmed His presence in my journey.

Surrendering Control to God

Handing over our lives to God and allowing Him to take charge can be difficult for many people—especially for those who have always been in control of their own affairs, making decisions based on schedules and routines. It’s often easier said than done.

Saying, “Lord, take charge,” and truly trusting His judgment to lead us to the place He has destined for our lives can feel blinding. But that’s what faith is all about. It’s the kind of faith that allows the Lord to work in our lives and bring His purpose to fruition. When we approach Him with childlike faith, trusting without needing to see the whole picture, we can begin to learn and believe in His guidance.

At every stage in our lives, God leads His children on journeys that align with His perfect timing and His purpose for us. Seeking His presence daily and humbling ourselves before Him is how we initiate that divine conversation, inviting Him into every aspect of our lives.

When we partner with the Lord, we stay aligned with His plan for our lives. Starting each day with Him doesn’t just strengthen our relationship with God—it also prepares us for the blessings He has in store. God is intentional about His children, and His plan for us is always good.

Psalm 139:13-16

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance.

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them."

This passage reminds us that God knit us together with a purpose. He is intentional about who we are and what He wants to do in our lives. However, we must first begin with Him to see His plan unfold. His ultimate goal is to prosper us, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11. No one who has started with the Lord has ever ended up in ruins. It might seem like nothing is happening at first, but even in the silence, Jesus is working. He is orchestrating everything according to His will, bringing everything into fruition at just the right time.

Did you start with the lord today? 

When he said seek you shall find, he was referring to you. 

He has the best for you, but he needs your yes as the seal for partnership.

Stay revived.

GOD KNOWS WHEN WE ARE READY

 

GOD KNOWS WHEN WE ARE READY

Schooling at the University of Port Harcourt introduced me to fast-food noodles and meshai. What if your favorite fast-food breakfast happens to be noodles and fried eggs?

Have you ever waited in a queue to get noodles and eggs from your favorite fast-food vendor?

Sometimes, waiting can be thrilling and joyful, and you just endure the hunger pangs. But other times, the hunger is so intense that we repeatedly ask, “When will it be ready?”—even after we’ve seen the noodles sizzling on the fire.

That question, asked over and over again, drowns out the cook’s voice, consumed by our anxiety and eagerness to eat.

What if God was the cook?

Whipping up a nice breakfast, accompanied by a cup of tea, just the way we like it.

But because we’re so anxious to eat, we rush into a half-cooked meal, or maybe even rush out to eat somewhere else.

And I ask again, God, when will I be ready?

We may count a year of waiting, but perhaps in God’s calendar, He is numbering the strength, the faith, and the trust we place in Him.

In response to our anxiety, He says, “If you delight yourself in My ways, I will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:4, which says:

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

He would not have placed this promise in His Word if He could not, or would not, fulfill it.

The ultimate Father, who desires for us to run to Him each day with open arms and a warm hug, is deeply concerned with the details of our lives.

What have you been desperately waiting for?

What have you repeatedly asked God, “When will I be ready?”

I asked this question not long ago.

But the Holy Spirit is now taking me down memory lane to my favorite food from childhood: beans and ripe plantains with smoked fish. We didn’t have a gas stove or pressure cooker—my mom cooked this meal on a kerosene stove. It took quite a while for the beans to cook, but I remember that when I took the first bite, it was always worth the wait.

That’s what God is doing. He is preparing your favorite meal, the best you've ever tasted. And when He is done with what He is doing in you, with you, and for you, it will be worth the wait.

The world’s greatest chef is preparing your favorite meal and will serve it when you are ready. Because He is preparing you for that meal.

Revive!

By Guest writer.

GREAT GRACE: The colour of Grace.

GREAT GRACE: The colour of Grace. 

What does it mean to be colored by God's unmerited favor? 

As a Christian, I've struggled with an entitlement mentality, believing that my actions could manipulate God's hand to work in my favor. When I do certain things or I fast a certain way, pray, sow the largest and do several religious exercises, I can move the hand of God or change situations. So in earnest, my acts make me the mover of God. 

But what happens when things don't go as planned?

In Christianity, we understand grace as:

• Unmerited favor.
• Empowerment for living.
• A contrast to works.
• God in the race.

I stumbled upon a profound statement: "We could be making a total mess, but it's been God cleaning them up." This realization broke me, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

"To be colored by His grace" is a beautiful and profound phrase that suggests the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. 

In John 3:14-17 (MSG), we see God's love and grace highlighted:

15 "and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.

16 "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.

17 God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again."

John 3:16 showcases God's ultimate act of grace—giving His Son to save humanity that didn't deserve salvation. God's love for the world drove His decision to give Jesus, illustrating the depth of His grace

God's unmerited favor is so profound that He gave His only Son to put the world right again. He looked at us and thought that the best gift he could give us was his son so we could have A REAL LIFE. 

It's not about what we did but what God wants to do in us and through us. 

His grace keeps knocking on our doors, calling out our names. Someone loves you enough to give His all for you.

Will you say yes to Him today?

For God So Love... (your name would fit in just fine)

Revive!

By Guest Writer