freedom

Fear That Heals, Not Harms

The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Learning the Fear of the Lord in a Fear-Filled World

We live in an age saturated with fear. Fear of violence. Fear of rejection. Fear of the future. Fear of being “othered.” Fear of not having enough. Fear whispers constantly that we are alone and unprotected.

Yet Scripture speaks of a very different kind of fear—one that does not imprison the soul but frees it.

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.”
—Psalm 34:7

At first glance, the phrase “fear him” can sound troubling. Why would God surround those who are afraid of Him? But the Bible invites us to look deeper—beyond modern assumptions and into the heart of the text.

The Hebrew Meaning of Fear

The Hebrew word used here is yir’ah. It does not mean terror or dread. Instead, it speaks of:

  • Reverent awe
  • Deep respect
  • Trust-filled humility
  • Attentive devotion

To fear the Lord is to live with a profound awareness of who God is—and who we are in relation to Him.

This is why Psalm 34 can say both:

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (v. 4)

and

“Fear the Lord, you his holy ones.” (v. 9)

God does not replace our fears with more fear. God heals fear by redirecting it—from anxiety about life to reverent trust in the One who holds life.

Fear as Refuge, Not Threat

Psalm 34 interprets itself:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (v. 8)

Fear of the Lord is paired with refuge, not punishment. It is the posture of someone who runs toward God, not away. It is choosing trust over self-protection, humility over control.

This is the kind of fear that allows us to exhale.

Encamped, Not Abandoned

The image of the angel of the Lord “encamping” is powerful. An encampment is not a passing guard; it is a settled presence. God is not watching from a distance. God is dwelling close, surrounding those who live in reverent trust.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Fear of the Lord places us within the circle of God’s nearness.

What This Means for Our Day

So many today are ruled by fear—fear stoked by politics, religion, media, and trauma. Even faith communities sometimes misuse fear to control rather than to heal.

But biblical fear of the Lord does the opposite. It:

  • Loosens the grip of anxiety
  • Grounds us in God’s goodness
  • Frees us to love rather than defend
  • Anchors us when the world feels unstable

Jesus echoed this ancient wisdom when He said:

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

And again:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

To fear the Lord is not to live scared—it is to live secure.

A Fear That Forms Love

Scripture consistently links fear of the Lord with life and blessing:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

“Those who fear the Lord lack nothing.” (Psalm 34:9)

This fear forms wisdom, compassion, justice, and mercy. It teaches us how to live well with God and with one another.

A Prayer for Today

Lord,
in a world that teaches us to fear everything,
teach us to fear only You—
with reverence, trust, and love.
Surround us with Your presence.
Deliver us from the fears that steal our peace.
Help us taste and see Your goodness,
and rest in the refuge of Your care.
Amen.

Truth and Brightness: Telling the Whole Story of America

The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Recently, President Trump criticized the Smithsonian museums for putting “too much emphasis” on slavery and not enough on the brightness of America. His words made me pause, because they touch on something I’ve wrestled with for a long time.

When I was in school, we were never really taught the full ugliness of slavery or the genocide of Native Americans. The story was simplified, scrubbed clean, and made to look like progress was always smooth and triumphant. Only later in life did I begin to see how much had been left out.

Just the other night, I watched the film Glory—the story of the first Black regiment to fight in the Civil War. I was amazed and deeply moved. Their courage, sacrifice, and dignity were part of the fight not only to preserve the Union but also to expand the meaning of freedom itself. Yet I realized I had gone most of my life without ever knowing that story.

The truth is this: we cannot hide what we have done. To tell the story of America is to tell both the light and the darkness. If we only celebrate the “bright side,” we are not telling the truth. And without truth, there can be no healing, no reconciliation, and no deeper greatness.

Scripture reminds us:

“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32)

Jesus’ words point us to a freedom that is rooted in honesty. Truth may hurt, but it heals. Truth may unsettle, but it sets us free. If we want America to be strong, hopeful, and bright, we must be willing to face the shadows as well as the light.

A Prayer for Truth and Healing

Lord of light and truth,
We give you thanks for the blessings of this land and for the people who dreamed, built, and sacrificed for freedom.
We confess that our history is scarred with slavery, injustice, and violence against the vulnerable.
Give us courage to face these truths without fear.
Give us wisdom to teach the next generation both the brightness and the brokenness of our past.
And give us hope that, by your grace, honesty will lead us to healing, and truth will make us free.
In the name of Jesus, who is the Truth. Amen.

Pilgrim’s Reflection: The pilgrim’s path is always walked in truth—for only by facing the shadows can we see the fullness of the light.