The See Saw
Illustrating a Truth of Fear Not!
Have you noticed how the games we played as children have a way of showing back up in the spiritual life? Just consider "Hide and Seek" and you'll realize immediately how much the Lord Himself loves to play that one! It's great good fun for us to seek Him where He can be found, especially since He wants us to make fresh discoveries. He doesn't hide from us; He hides for us--so that we can enjoy the game with Him. Not nearly as much fun are the games of tug of war we have to "play" with the dark kingdom as they try to pull us off our path and we pull back, clinging to the Lord for all we're worth. 
The See Saw is like that. When one side goes up, the other goes down. It was great fun when we were kids, right? But it is played in deadly earnest against us now by a spirit of fear. The Lord says that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. So, our problem isn't the Lord, but that pesky devil who keeps tempting us to take on fear.
The Enemy knows full well that if we fall into insecurity, anxiety, dread or other forms of fear, we will lose our confidence in God, our Holy Spirit graced ability to love others, and the soundless of our thinking. This renders us captive to him and practically useless to the Lord. It's a good thing the Lord never deserts us or turns against us when we've been caught by fear. His perfect love is the very thing we need to cast off our fears. Believing in His love and power enables us to get our confidence back and strength of heart and mind restored.
Next time you feel fear going up, get your eyes off the problem that the spirit of fear wants you to focus on, and fix your gaze on the far greater power of the One who always loves you. Let the invisible Reality that surrounds you fill your field of vision and you'll rise quickly into confidence again.
For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 MKJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love [Him] because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19
Prayer
Jesus, I have to admit that many days I go up and down like a yo-yo. I ride the See Saw as if my circumstances and feelings are in charge, thinking that there is nothing I can do about it. Now, I can see I've been in a tug of war with an invisible enemy. Whenever I feel fear, dread, anxiety or any insecurity, remind me to get my spiritual eyes off the problem I've been looking at and fix them back on You. You will never leave me or forsake me! You always have a great plan for how to get me through the challenges I face. Help me look past these visible problems to see by faith Your Loving Face turned my way with grace and favor--just like the gospel declares. Help me believe so thoroughly in Your Perfect Love that I'll never fall captive to a spirit of fear again.
Next Illustrated Insight
Radio Satan
Illustrating the voice in the airwaves that we need to ignore.
Free Downloads
pdf An Illustrated Guide (64-page eBook)
pdf The See Saw (this article)
pdf The See Saw (illustration only)
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