-Do You Suffer With Chronophobia?

(NOTE: This Continues A Series Of Posts On Daniel’s Life)

Have you ever been afflicted with “chronophobia” at some time in your life? Perhaps, you say, you’d admit it if you knew what it was! “Chronophobia” is the “fear of the future.” It manifests itself in many ways; but, it’s always related, in some way, to time—it might be like an anxiety rush sweeping over you because it feels like time’s moving too fast; or, maybe it’s a sort of “emptiness” you feel at your 40th birthday as the kids start to leave home; or, a paralyzing dread as you wonder what you’ve done with your life; or, an apprehension over a future event.

-My Bouts With Chronophobia

For me, that “fear of the future” used to kick in when I started getting close to a doctor or a dentist appointment—any activity involving a procedure in which needles or drills were used! All of us live with a certain apprehension as we look down the road of life; and, wonder where it’s going to take us! Daniel’s story provides encouragement for anyone suffering with chronophobia.

-No Need To Fear The Future!

Because God is Sovereign, we don’t need to fear the future! Because He has absolute supreme power & authority over time, space & all of creation, we don’t need to live in fear.  King Nebuchadnezzar was suffering, in part, from chronophobia—Daniel ch. 2, v.1 says he “…had dreams that troubled him, and sleep deserted him.”  And, we find out later that what troubled him were future events. When Daniel came into his presence—after God had given him the dream & the interpretation—he told him, “Your majesty, while you were in your bed, thoughts came to your mind about what will happen in the future” (v.29).

-God’s Sovereignty Is Freeing!

Much of Daniel’s story sheds light on the contrast between someone who has faith in God & someone who does not! Through all the pain, suffering & embarrassment of being dispossessed & exiled from his native land, Daniel had grown in his dependence & trust in God. He lived in the absolute freedom that a belief in the Sovereignty of God brings. The king, however, lived under the constant fear of losing his power & kingdom in the future. That contrasting lifestyle & world view is what God eventually uses, in the king’s life, to bring him to faith!

-One Thing The King Didn’t Have

Daniel’s life & faith will eventually become so compelling, to the king, because he’ll come to realize it’s the one thing he didn’t have! And, all his power & all his stuff could never satisfy his troubled heart. Let’s remember that as we have occasion to interact with unbelievers! It doesn’t matter how many of this world’s blessings & goods they have; if, they don’t have Jesus there’s a dissatisfaction there! For Daniel, however, there was no fear of the future. In the last half, of chapter 2, God comes through like He always does—the timing might not be as we’d like it to be—but; His ways are higher than ours & He always delivers! Daniel truly believed that God is Sovereign; so, he didn’t need to fear the future! The king, however, suffered from chronophobia & became pre-occupied with his own life! That is a poisonous combination!