Know: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

Consider: Imagine magazines at the commissary. Headlines seem designed for fear. We’re told to worry about our figures, finances, fitness, food, and every aspect of living and dying. Listen to one mother portray life in LA:

“The mothers hover. You invite their kid over, but they stay and helicopter over their child, making sure you don’t feed them the wrong kind of hummus.”

The world lures us with its “wisdom” and we’re swallowing the bait. Worldly fear leaves us not only hollow and unsatisfied, but also anxious and distressed. Military life can bring added concerns.

“Fearing God” may sound odd but implies moral reverence. God is awesomely powerful and mightily opposed to sin. Yet in Him we receive forgiveness, mercy, and life eternal! Like a child trusting a parent, fearing God places us in the “sweet spot” of right relationship with Him.

Brooke had a traumatic birth experience. When asked if afraid her husband Phil said, “No, I knew it’d be fine. Even if it wasn’t fine, it’d be fine – that’s just the way God is.” That’s the fear of the Lord!

Key Concept: [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][tweetthis]The fear of the LORD puts other fears to flight![/tweetthis]

This Week’s Faith-Over-Fear Challenge: We often strive for approval, identity and security in false ways. This week ask the Holy Spirit to begin to reveal areas of worldly fear in your life and surrender these to God.

Questions for Discussing & Journaling:

1. What everyday examples of worldly fear can you think of?
2. Does “fearing” God seem like an unfamiliar concept to you? Explain.
3. What consequences or side effects of worldly fear have you seen or experienced?
4. Are there specific fears in your life that need to be put to flight?

Continue: Bible Memory & Daily Homework

Day 1: Read Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 31:30, the “bookends” of Proverbs. What more do you learn about fearing God? Work on memorizing Proverbs 31:30, this week’s memory verse.

Day 2: Read Matthew 14:22-33. Use your journal to record your observations about the connections between fear, faith, belief and unbelief. Use Matthew 6:9-13 to pray.

Day 3: Read Proverbs 31 and use a blank journal or notebook to list all of the characteristics that make a woman praiseworthy or, said another way, a God-fearer. Respond in prayer.

Day 4: With the list from Proverbs 31 you made yesterday, put a star next to the characteristic that comes easiest to you, and circle the characteristic that challenges you most. Thank God for the first list and ask for His help with the second.

Day 5: Meditate once again on Proverbs 31:30. Using your journal, “mind map” (look up this term if unfamiliar) areas of ungodly fear from which you would like God to set you free.

Creative Component (Pin it!): Proverbs 31:14 says the noble woman is “like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.” This week cook a new international dish or try this lentil-curry soup: 1 cup dry lentils, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 cup diced ham, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 1 cup thinly sliced carrots, 1 finely diced onion, and 1 teaspoon curry powder. In a soup pot, bring all ingredients to a boil. Lower heat and cook 20 minutes or until lentils are soft. Enjoy!

Submitted by Andrea Plottner

Chime in and comment below: What fears are most prevalent in military life? How has God’s Word helped you fight your fears?

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