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Paralyzed with Fear Marcus Boone I have heard many times from people “I was paralyzed with fear.” I have often wondered what exactly causes this response. I have learned that this is partly due to the inability to understand a situation. When people are presented with extraordinary circumstances and problems it takes some time for them to comprehend what is going on. The follow up statement is usually “I didn’t know what to do.” We become paralyzed when the unexpected happens to us and we have no solution. The Israelites were paralyzed when faced with a giant who taunted them and their God. I Samuel chapter 17 tells the story of a people who were faced with difficult circumstances. They were paralyzed for forty days, morning and evening (v 16) while this Philistine shouted insults. Verse 24 says that all the men of Israel fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. They truly did not know what to do. They had let their fears remove their ability to formulate a plan to deal with this situation. It wasn’t until David arrived did anyone have an idea as to what to do against this giant. David’s plan came from experience and trust in God. Every time David and his flock were threatened by an animal, he struck it and killed it. Giving God credit for his protection (v 37) he tells Saul “Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them.” (v 36) He had no fear because he was prepared for the situation. He was able to take action because he knew what to do and he knew God would be with him. We can avoid being “paralyzed with fear” by being prepared. We must train ourselves to recognize each situation. We must also have trust in God that He will carry us through. We are faced with giants who would cause our hearts to fear. We must take them head on with trust in God and weapons in hand. God has told us what he expects us to do. Set aside your fears and conquer your giants.
~ Marcus Boone
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