I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
If there is one particular emotion that has held me back the most in life, it would be fear. It has an amazing power to paralyze me. When it becomes too great, I escape. Rather than facing a challenge, I tend to avoid it. Rather than moving forward, I tend to retreat.
King David was afraid. He fled from Saul's presence and went to Achish king of Gath. While he was there, the people caused a stir because they knew this was the man anointed as the next king of Israel. As David considered their words, he became more and more frightened. I'm sure David thought of what King Achish would do to him. Here he was, the would be king of a neighboring nation, weakened and on the run. Achish could have easily decided to take Israel for himself. Why not kill David? Then he could simply take it.
Rather than allowing the fear to paralyze him, David used it. He pretended to be insane. Achish was flabbergasted. David was sent away.
Psalm 34 was written after this experience. It is obvious by his words, David knew the Source of his strength. It was only God who delivered him from his fear, and he became a stronger man through the experience.
Lord, I am afraid! All my life, I have been afraid. Rather than embracing it, rather than growing from it, I have hidden. I am still that little boy hiding under the covers. Help me to face the fear. Deliver me from it, so I can be the man You intended.