Reflections on Psalm 23 Part 3: Fear-Free

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

When I hear that phrase of Psalm 23, I think of myself in a field with bright green grass, decorated with various colors of flowers as far as the eye can see. There is a gentle breeze, and I can hear a river running faintly in the distance. The sun is shining, but not so bright that I have to squint.

Sound relaxing? I think it is.

A while back, when I was listening to a sermon about Psalm 23, the Pastor talked a lot about sheep behavior. I guess that a sheep will not lie down unless it knows that it is not in any danger or it has any reason to be afraid. It's the Shepherd's "job" if you will to provide security for the sheep so they aren't afraid to lie down and sleep and rest.

It's hard for me to lie down in green pastures. I'm too afraid.

I've got a lot of fear eating away at me. Not as much as I did when I was severely ill, but I still have some.

I'm afraid that I'll be battling with OCD for the rest of my life.
I'm afraid that if I keep scalp picking, the back of my head will continue to go bald.
I'm afraid that everyone will abandon me as I've seen happen.
I'm afraid I'll get ill again when I start student teaching and I'll fail.
I'm afraid I'll never achieve my dreams.
I'm afraid people will see me as a failure.
I'm afraid I'll be an outcast because of what is wrong with me.
I'm afraid I won't be able to afford my medication any longer some day..
I'm afraid that things may get worse.
I'm afraid that somethings will go back to the way they were.

I'm scared out of my mind. There's no doubt about it.

But in the midst of all of those fears, the good shepherd steps forward and says,
"Dylan, what are you so afraid of?"

I've posted on fears before. But the fears have changed.

The fears may have changed, but the faithful shepherd who stands watch over me hasn't.

And He says, "Dylan, what are you so afraid of? Fear not. Take courage. You are safe in my arms."

Isn't that a beautiful image? Jesus holding on tight to me, His fearful sheep.

He says, "Come unto me all you who are weary and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28). He invites, "Cast all your anxiety on me because I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).

Because of His promises and His security, we can lie down in green pastures.

We are secure. We are safe. We can rest in the beauty of those relaxing green pastures. No fear of ours can get us. Isn't that amazing?!

We go from being fear-FUL sheep to Fear-FREE sheep.
We are no longer full of fear, but full of peace and security in those amazing green pastures.

Blessings:
-My first exam is DONE! (it may have mauled me, but it's DONE!)

-Visit with my mentor

-Picked up a CD of amazing Easter music! Have it playing right now.

-Long time to practice on the organ

-Getting a lot of little errands done!

-Writing letters to friends far away

-Relaxing afternoon of subbing at work.

-Lying down in a green pasture and feeling safe and secure.