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Do Not Be Afraid

Luke 8:37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear.  So he got into the boat and left.

This was the people's reaction to Jesus driving the demons out from the man and into the herd of pigs.  I was a bit convicted with this verse, wondering how many times I have asked Jesus to leave me because of my own fear of what he might do.  It seems so odd that we would do that, see a miracle of Jesus and then ask him to leave us alone, but that just shows our brokenness.  We respond in fear so often and how often does the phrase "do not be afraid" appear in the Bible?  Many, many times.  What's probably more troubling to me than the fact that they asked Jesus to leave, is the fact that he did.  Jesus is so loving that he acquiesces to their request.  I know he will do the same when I ask him to leave me alone.  He is a gentleman and doesn't force himself on us.  My hope and prayer is that I never turn Jesus away.  I pray that I will always respond to him in love rather than fear.  My journey is continual and I think most days I am able to respond to Jesus without fear, but I know that every once in a while I let that creep in and stop the Spirit's work in my life.  I pray that I will become more attuned to my own fear and that I can turn it over to the One who casts out all fear with His perfect love.

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