August 16, 2023
When we are prepared to deny ourselves in any comfort we may enjoy, then, and not till then, is that which hinders the enjoyment of our lives taken away; and that is fear. Where this is, ’there is torment.’ The outsetting deer is observed to be lean – though where good food is – because always in fear. And so must they needs be, in the midst of all their enjoyments, on whose heart this vulture is continually feeding. There needs nothing else to bring a man’s joy into a consumption, than an inordinate fear of losing what he hath at present.
William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour
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Have you ever seen a deer peacefully enjoying a meal in a field? They are surrounded by food, yet can’t go for a few seconds without raising their heads and looking around in alarm. Fear makes them unable to enjoy their present blessings. Similarly, attachment to worldly possessions and comforts can make us fearful of their loss. The irony is that if we break that attachment, we will come to enjoy them even more; we’ll still have them, but the fear of losing them will be gone. The “preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15) gives us this ability. We are prepared for trials, suffering, and loss because we walk on gospel promises, and therefore we can have a greater enjoyment of our blessings.