Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. -Psalm 42:11 ESV
I have
discovered in myself many characteristics that I see in the apostles
– and not the good ones. Occasionally, I find myself, like Peter,
given to speaking rashly. Other times, like Thomas, I doubt and have
unbelief. Amazingly, I see traits like this in myself that are found
in just about every disciple of Jesus. This is discouraging,
concerning, even embarrassing, and yet, at the same time it is
encouraging. God used them anyway. He used them in mighty ways.
Being God, he can overcome any sin, tendency, or personality problem.
Worrying about what others think is an issue we all struggle with in varying degrees. The Bible calls this "fear of man." "The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe" (Prov 29:25 ESV). In other words, the fear of man is opposed to trusting in the Lord. If we are worrying about what people think, then we are not trusting in the Lord.
Paul puts this succinctly. "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10 ESV). We are seeking God's approval, not man's approval. We are a servant of Christ. This doesn't mean that we are unloving to people, for Christ is who commanded us to love our neighbor (Mark 12:31 ESV).
How do we experience freedom? God gives it. Pray for it. Memorize Scripture. Persevere. Hope and trust in God. We must have a
higher view of what God thinks rather than what people think. Fear of man is idolatry.
Trusting in anything more than God is idolatry. Ultimately, it must be said that God has grace for us missing the mark. This doesn't just speak to mistakes, but it indicates willful rebellion. We will have times where we revert to old patterns, but we can still fight for freedom. Soon, a day is coming when all will be made right, and these types of struggles will dissipate (Rev 22:20, 21 ESV). "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God" (Psalm 42:11 ESV). Hope in God!
