Are you dealing with some fears and doubts today? During this life, fear and doubt are a necessity. They are an important part of our lifestyle, especially since pain and death are ever present with us. We need the caution that arises from fear and doubt to avoid harming ourselves or others. There’s also a negative side to fear and doubt. We can be consumed by fear and make bad decisions. We can also fear and doubt the truth and end up believing and acting on lies. We might even fear and doubt GOD’s goodness.
Did you know that human beings are born with only two fears? The fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. In 1960, a study was conducted by Eleanor J. Gibson and Richard D. Walk of Cornell University. In order to prove one of their points, the researchers created an optical illusion with plexi-glass and placed infants on a table near the edge of the thick glass platform. They wanted to see how many of the babies would crawl out over the “visual cliff.” Some of the infants were even coaxed by their mothers who were on the other side. Most of them didn’t heed the call because of their natural fear of falling.
As you and I matured, we learned additional fears from our parents, our environment and our culture. These fears shaped our character and personality. Even as adults, we are still learning how to deal with fear.
In eternity, fear and doubt will be absent and the necessity of them will be removed. What could you be scared of in eternity? Death? Death has been swallowed up—it’s no more. Pain? There is no more pain. Sorrow? Sorrows have been replaced with healing and joy—we’ll never see sorrow again! Decay? Nothing decays in Heaven. Satan? He’s been defeated and cast in the lake of fire.
The Bible says in Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” NIV
What a long sigh of relief that will be—what a release! Never again will we act out of fear or doubt. We won’t have to fight fear and doubt with faith and soldier on. We will never react selfishly out of self- preservation. We will be free from the past—we can relax our mind and body—those days, those reactions, that mindset– gone.
It’s hard to grasp the depth of that type of freedom because we’ve never known it, but the truth of it is glorious. The result will be a freedom in thought, actions and relationships that will transcend joy. Every decision we make in eternity will be based on the truth and acted out in love. We will never make another decision from a mindset of avoiding pain, tragedy or loss. Every fear that we learned during mortal life will be negated through the immediate presence of Jesus Christ.
I encourage you to raise your eyes towards Heaven in hope. When we’re in the arms of Jesus enjoying His perfect love, all fear and doubt will be removed unto unspeakable joy and freedom!
A hope like that can help lighten todays load.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30;
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Reflections
How many decisions did you make out of fear today—good or bad?
How many of those decisions could have been made out of faith?