Christian Living
Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday October 27, 2009
One of my favorite writers from the recent past is the late Lloyd C. Douglas. Mr. Douglas wrote numerous books from his pastoral study. His books were gripping drama that caught the attention of the American public at large and though he did not write his first book until he was 50, he went at jet speed from that point.
Pastor Douglas wrote "Magnificent Obsession," "The Robe," and "The Big Fisherman" to name but a few among his list of best sellers.
Pastor Douglas certainly said many quotable statements along the way and I am using one today that is timeless with its meaning.
"If a man harbors any part of fear, it percolates through all his thinking, damages his personality and makes him a landlord to a ghost."
I suppose I am focused on fear as I write early in the morning today as I brace myself for a 10:15 appointment with the dentist. My dentist is a nice enough man, but I can't stand his line of work and feel more comfortable around a bootlegger. At least with a bootlegger's product you feel better. For a while.
A study of the theophanic (I am in a Faulkner mode) events in scripture reveals that each carries the equivalent to "fear not." Humans seem to be afraid of our own shadow, hence the encouragement to put away fear. Even Mary the mother of our Lord received the admonition to banish fear and get on with the business at hand. Likewise Joseph was comforted with the same words. God encourages His people 148 times in scripture to go on with courage, for that is what we do when we put away fear.
Douglas used the phrase, "Fear makes him a landlord to a ghost."
The "ghost" of fear is not a good tenant and ends up costing more than the arrangement is worth. Joshua was warned that fear would paralyze his efforts to conquer the Promised Land for the line "Be not dismayed" means to refuse to be disabled through fear. The fear of death, of debilitating illness, loss of funding, even abandonment by family and friends are the haunting thoughts of the aged. Each of us must learn to trust the Lord, look the future "smack dab" in the face and move on with the courage that comes from faith in the promises of the Lord.
Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with credit.
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