The Fear Diet (1 John 4:18)
Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain,

The Fear Diet

There is no fear in love...perfect love drives out fear... 1 John 4:18

Denial.  One way to escape from a conflict is to pretend that it does not exist.  Or, if we cannot deny that the problem exists, we simply refuse to do what should be done to resolve a conflict properly.  These responses bring only temporary relief and usually make matters worse (see Gen. 16:1-6; I Sam. 2:22-25). 

Flight.  Another way to escape from a conflict is to run away.  This may include leaving the house, ending a friendship, quitting a job, filing for divorce, or changing churches.  In most cases, running away only postpones a proper solution to a problem (see Gen. 16:6-8), so flight is usually a harmful way to deal with conflict... 

Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2004) p. 23 

Food for Thought

Have you ever thought about fear as an indulgence that we as Christians can't afford? We often think of rich desserts and fine cars as indulgences, and they certainly can be. But fear is an indulgence, too--one that Christians engage in at least as much (if not far more) than Krispy Kreme donuts or Jaguar sports cars.

We indulge in fear each time we deny a conflict that exists with a friend--even though we know there is a cancer-like silence between us that Satan is probably filling with his lies.  We indulge in fear when we tell others or ourselves, "I've had enough.  I'm done with this."  While walking away looks like some kind of primitive strength, it's really a fear "feast" that results in us putting on weight (in the form of concern and anxious thoughts).

Fear is a costly indulgence that drives much of what we do and much of what we don't do.  When fear keeps us from addressing conflict in our lives, it hinders our intimacy with Christ.  We'd rather indulge in fear than delight in the love of Christ; yet, if we'd just delight in Perfect Love, scripture says that fear would flee.

Leaving fear behind is a bit like dieting. Standing at the freezer with our hand on the door and the ice cream on the other side, sometimes we just have to say aloud, "No." Standing in a conflict feeling sorely tempted to indulge in denial and flight (both grounded in fear), we must call to mind the lavish love of Christ, drop our hands to our side, and remind ourselves that fear is one indulgence we simply cannot afford.

PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of September 20, 2009  

FOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO THE LORD FOR HEALING

Lily Snook                  Transferred to Oaklawn for rehab
Larry Lose                  Recovering from Heart Surgery
Johann Blanco           [young son of Mauricio, OSLS Custodian] recovering from a broken leg
Dorothy Ordel            Able to return to Jefferson Manor this week
Brooke McGrew        [Sister of Scott Smith] Diagnosed with Cervical cancer, awaiting treatment
Brock Douglas          [Brother-in-law of Melanie Douglas] recovering from surgery from infection and fighting cancer.  

FOR THOSE MOURN

The family of John Smith, brother of Harold Smith, was called home this past week 

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. –Psalm 4:8 

Paul Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church
 

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