Greater is He

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4


This verse speaks to me about fear. You know as well as me that we all have it. It doesn't matter what we're afraid of (because it's different for everyone), just that we all experience fear.


I didn't truly realize until recently how much control fear has over me. I was reading a book called Spirit-Controlled Temperament by Tim LaHaye for school. I figured out pretty quickly that I'm, like, 99% melancholic. That was the easy part. Then the author starts talking about the strengths and weaknesses of the different temperaments. It was really easy to see myself as he described all of the negative tendencies of the melancholic temperament. Including pessimism. Surprise!


So, anyway, before long, we're delving into fear and its consequences (such as quenching the Holy Spirit). Then he goes too far. He claims that melancholics are extremely fear-prone. I'm like, "C'mon dude. Fear? What r u talking about? I'm not afraid."


Of course, Tim can't answer me because he's stuck inside the book, forced to tell me nothing but what the book says. Naturally, though, as I continue reading, Tim proceeds to squelch my belief that I don't struggle with fear. He gives an extensive list of various evidences of fear in a person's life. Stuff like depression (not necessarily the sickness), worry, inferiority, indecision, haughtiness, loneliness, withdrawal, social shyness, and suspicion. Ok... So, this stuff has me written all over it.


If I'm honest I'm fearful of a lot of things. I'm afraid of the future, afraid of failing, afraid of not being accepted, afraid of doing something stupid, afraid of going outside of God's will and losing His approval, sometimes even afraid of myself.


The key to this thing called fear is this: God is greater. It's true. He's so much greater than any problem or worry we face, and He is well able to handle all of the nasty stuff you're facing in life.


This song by Robert Pierre beautifully sums up how we have no need to fear when God is on our side.


Greater Is He
I see it in the searching eyes
Of everyone passing by
We're so afraid of what will come
And what will happen when it all comes undone
But I know
I'm not alone

Greater is He who is in me
Greater is He who came to save
Greater is He who is in me
So I will not fear

I hear the sound of anxious hearts
Surrounded by a world falling apart
Still I will not be afraid
My God will stand when everything fades
Cause I know
I'm not alone

Greater is He who is in me
Greater is He who came to save
Greater is He who is in me
So I will not fear

Nothing I face
Is greater than than who conquered the grave
Nothing I face
Is greater than He
Greater than He



I'm not alone. And neither are you. No matter what we come up against, our God is greater.


JPK