We've been a sermon series on Habakkuk for the past several weeks and it's simply been a great study. Habakkuk is a small book, but is densely packed. I think one of the things I most appreciate is how brutally honest Habakkuk is with God concerning his confusion, fear, and understanding. This Sunday, we're landing the plane, but I wanted to take this opportunity to elaborate on a few things concerning fear from last week's message. I'm not sure if we talk about fear much and more importantly, I'm not so sure our response is similar to that of Habakkuk's in fear. Here's where we ended and then I'll jump into this post:

"I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us." (Habakkuk 3:16)

HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO FEAR?

First, let's get it all out on the table: we all experience fear. How we respond and how it manifests itself in our lives is different, however.

1. Resignation
Upon experiencing or feeling fear, many will completely succumb to it and quit whatever endeavor, path, or activity they're involved in. They simply quit.

2. Detachment
Detachment can come in various forms, but in this case I believe that it's two fold: (1) we physically detach ourselves from people and (2) emotionally disconnect from relationships.

3. Pride
Fear can sometimes bring the self-reliance out in us where we believe we simply must pull ourselves us by our bootstraps and take it on because no one else will.

4. Control
This one is definitely me (I'm not proud of that by any means). When fear surges, control is what manifests itself; controlling people, situations, conversation, decisions, etc.

5. Anger
Anger is a way people respond to fear. It comes out in foolish decisions and unwise choices of words; a dismissal of who or what is "in the way."

6. Projection
Fear can be crippling and many people will project their fear and anxiety onto others so as to not feel it. In projection, one will gather others for the purpose of casting their fear and anxiety on them.

By no means am I saying these are the only ways people can respond to fear. And I'm sure there is much more to be said about each one. My point, however, is that there is a strong probability that we respond to fear in one or more of these ways AND there are underlining issues, root concerns.

For instance, if you respond to fear with control, then the root of your fear can be things like rejection or abandonment. If you respond with anger, then the root could be self protection. There could be several things that are ultimately at the root of your fear. But if I'm taking a page out of my boy Habakkuk, then the question I must ask myself if do I respond to fear with worship? That sounds ridiculous.

FEAR and WORSHIP

As I've mentioned earlier, one of the things I most appreciate about Habakkuk is how brutally honest he is and in this section of the book, upon feeling fear, he doesn't avoid it or respond with something else. He confronts it and turns to what he knows to be true:

1. The Character of God
Habakkuk runs through God's involvement throughout the history of his people. In Habakkuk's psalm, we're reminded that God is intimately involved, saves and redeems, and is totally sovereign. It's a great reminder for Habakkuk because God's not distant or out of the loop on what's going on, but following through with his promises amidst the foolish decisions his children make.

2. The Faithfulness of God
Habakkuk looks to the future of the "anointed one" who will come and ultimately crush "the head of the house of the wicked." Habakkuk looks toward the coming a Savior and through this, he finds hope. Today, we can look back to the cross to be reminded of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ--today, He is alive and well and will return one day to reclaim His bride, the church.

We can find hope in the truth of the gospel. It may not change our circumstance, it didn't for Habakkuk. But it did change the condition of his heart. In fear, we are separated from God, but in faith, we are secured by God.

LISTEN TO THE SERMON SERIES: Habakkuk: The Righteous Will Live By Faith