“Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:21, NASB)

     Fear is one of humanity’s greatest gifts. Fear is also humanity’s greatest struggle. Fear is necessary to alert us when danger presents itself. Fear engages adrenal activity in order to help our body move away quickly from potential harm.

“I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers” 
(Ephesians 3:18, CEB).

“Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me’” (John 13:1-8, ESV).

     We people are funny creatures. There are moments when we welcome the assistance of others and there are occasions when we refuse any help.

     I recall an instance in which a wheelchair-bound woman declined an offer from her neighbors to build a ramp into her home. I remember her words distinctly: “I never accept
charity.”

 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted…” (Proverbs 27:5-6, NIV).

     I Facebook messaged a friend the other day with whom I hadn’t connected with in several years. He remarked that he was shocked to see how much hair I had lost. I responded by telling him that I wasn’t shocked whatsoever that he hadn’t lost his panache for candor.