Lent 31 - Casts out Fear

Apologies if this image is sacrilegious.
Liberty is angry.  

    

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 

as far as the east is from the west,

    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:11-12

Is the word Fear a contronym? "Fear of the Lord vs casts out 'fear'." 

Most 'fear' is seen to relate to fear of death.  Much of it is unfounded.  I have only recently realised that the way to deal with the miniscule pain inflicted by a needle is to allow the pain to exist, and appreciate it.  It is there for a good reason and I am thankful that I experience pain.  What a mercy.

But there are many real fear, often associated with 'fear of death'.  I noticed when I experienced two threats to my life from melanoma, that I was also give the greatest gift I could possibly be given at the same time.  This is an almost complete absence of 'fear of death'.  It would be most inconvenient and upsetting of course, but  it does not have any control.  I did have a fleeting fear of death when I looked out over the wooded hills of Arkansas from a tiny single prop aeroplane, with just rushing air, and Dustan (instructor) strapped to my back, complete with his parachute. 

PRAYER: I may feel fear, but I know I am safe with you.