“Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety” (Prov. 29:25). “We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers” (Num. 13:33).
Heavenly Father, at times people gain more influence, power, and control over our hearts than they should have. Moses described how some people can make us feel like grasshoppers in the presence of giants. We tremble with fear. Other people can be our “drug of choice”—their literal or metaphorical “kiss,” attention, and approval can be addictive. We go “gaga” over them. Both of these result in all kinds of broken relational styles.
When people seem bigger, or better, than you, it impacts how we see ourselves and spend our days. Their contemptuous glare, or approving smile, determine our sleep, stress, and emotional temperature. By the riches of the Gospel and the power of the Spirit, help us take back the power we’ve given anybody to shut us down or give us life—to shame us or exhilarate us.
Indeed, Father, free us from looking to anybody to fill us up, “complete us,” or marginalize You. Whether it’s a spouse or new romance, children or parents, friends or employer—mere mortals are worthless idols, wannabe gods, and salvation-less saviors. And when fear of man morphs into wishing others harm, relishing their demise, or “calling down fire”—they win, we lose. Bitterness defiles, envy rots, and vengeance belongs to you.
Father, you designed, installed in us, and keep current a “Jesus-shaped vacuum.” Keep us restless until we rest in Jesus; “peace-less” until Jesus is our peace; and homesick until Jesus is our home. Keep us “redemptively discontent” until Jesus is our greatest delight. So Very Amen
