The Fear Trap

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God…. Romans 8: 14-15

"Earworms of Doubr"  Michelle Walka

"All who are led by the Spirit are children of God."  That is what we are: Children of God. As such, much is required of us and much is given us.  Sometimes, though, we forget whose we are and fall into Satan’s snare – the fear trap. The fear trap subtly uncoils its tentacles and draws it unto itself with the earworms of doubt, self-hatred, and unworthiness; thoughts that we are not good enough, or strong enough, or faithful enough to be children of God.

But remember, God always wins! Just as the Holy Spirit rushed in at Pentecost to fill the disciples with itself, the Spirit of God, when faced with the devil’s tentacles, rushes in and beckons to us. The Spirit softly yet persistently whispers to us that we are God’s own beloved ones: loved, cherished, worthy and enough.  

Our task is to become attuned to that voice, to train our ears to be aware of its quiet persistence.  In doing so, we will hear the Spirit of Love and able to defeat the trap of fear.