Anyone who has spent any time around me knows I am scared of spiders. I don’t want to be afraid of a little creature that, in most cases, won’t harm me. I’ve been told spiders are fascinating creatures. They can build the most incredibly designed webs, they can walk on walls and ceilings, and they spin silk. But I don’t see spiders as fascinating creatures. I jump out of my skin and shriek if I see one skittering across the floor or wall.
Yesterday, I was sitting at my laptop when a large spider (approximately ¼ inch in diameter) came from under the desktop and scurried under my laptop. I screamed — piercingly. Scott says he always knows when I see a spider because I have a “spider scream.” I jumped up, flipping the chair onto its back. In a moment of logic, I realized my overreaction — but the spider was not in sight, and my heart was pounding. I picked up my glass cleaning cloth, moved the laptop a few inches, and out came the spider running straight at me! I screamed again (the moment of logic gone) and crushed it with the cloth. Then it was over. I always have a split second of regret after killing a spider, and I always have a moment of embarrassment at my reaction. Mostly, I feel relief that the crisis is over.
As I think about this phobia, this irrational fear, I wonder if I am as afraid of sinning against my God as I am of these arachnids. Each time I am tempted to sin, I wish I would recognize the danger and jump away from it — squashing the thought, word, or deed that may cause me to turn from my Lord. Yet, I do sin, many times knowing full well what I am doing or saying — and our gracious Lord provides a path back into His arms in the person of Jesus. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:23–25). Each time I confess my sin I am in awe of the grace of our God. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
My arachnophobia, by definition, is an intense and irrational fear. Fearing separation from God, however, is sensible and wise. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name (Psalm 86:11). We are to fear God, not in the way I fear spiders, but to respect Him and center our lives around Him. If I see a spider, I don’t take my eyes off it until I’ve crushed it. It has my whole attention. Now, that’s a negative way to look at it but I think I’ve made my point — to fear God means He is the focus of my life. Phobias may be irrational, but The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight (Proverbs 9:10). Well said, my Lord!
Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie
