Seven Differences between Caution and Fear

How to “Laugh at the Future”

There’s always some human reason to fear, yet in Christ we’re “more than conquerors” of fear and everything else! (Romans 8:37). Circumstances, like a cancer battle, can instill a lot of fear. It happened to me when they gave me “days to live” in 2003 – see my Stage IV metastatic melanoma story here. Cancer and dangerous viruses are greater than us humans, yet God is far greater than anything we face!

Please understand, I’m not suggesting we depend solely on faith alone! I definitely used any and every tool of human experts, wisdom, and precaution to fight my cancer! At the same time, we don’t want to swing to the other extreme and leave God out of our fight plan! How much are you leaning on God in your troubles? Let’s discover all He offers in impossible situations so we too can “laugh at the future” like the God-centered woman of Proverbs 31!

Consider seven differences between caution and fear:

1) Caution is peaceful – fear is panicky.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7

2) Caution stops to listen to God – fear rushes to embrace doom.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” ~ 1 John 4:18

3) Caution pulls God into the situation – fear leaves God out.

“I sought the Lord and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

4) Caution shrinks problems – fear elevates problems above God.

“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” ~ John 14:27

5) Caution expects the best – fear expects the worst.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” ~ Psalm 23:4

6) Caution equips us with our best coping skills – fear paralyzes our abilities.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

7) Caution laughs at the future – fear dreads the future.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; and she laughs at the future.” ~ Proverbs 31:25

It might be easy to skim over these verses, but do yourself a big favor – go back and meditate on each of them until you feel them sink into your whole being! Repeat. Often.

And please pray for all who are impacted by the coronavirus and cancer!