Why awe of God matters on a Monday

Last Monday a friend sent a message that stirred up feelings of frustration and resentment.

I went for a run through the woods near my home, and although the sky was brilliant blue and the trees were bursting with life, my heart seemed to shrivel as I replayed a hurtful conversation in my mind—and rehearsed my lines for the encore!

Sunday was different. It was easy to sing with confidence, “You are sovereign over all”. To wholeheartedly agree with the preacher that abundant life is found only in Christ. To resolve to fix my eyes on Jesus rather than my circumstances.

I imagine you’ve been there too. The joy and encouragement of Sunday are quickly replaced by boredom, discontent, anxiety and unrest once the pressures and problems of Monday set in. What will help us keep a sense of wonder and worship amid the wearying reality (and mundanity) of daily life? What will help us combat resentment towards unfaithful friends, worry about the future, lethargy towards work and a lukewarm heart towards the Lord?

Awe of God

We need awe. Specifically, awe of God that refocuses our hearts on His glory and realigns our wills to His. Nothing else will give our souls the joy, peace and satisfaction we long for. Nothing else will free us from needless striving, endless comparison and unhealthy introspection. God has created us with a hunger for awe that won’t be satisfied with anything less than Himself.

That sounds fine in theory, but what difference does living with greater awe of God make when your car breaks down, your best friend betrays you, and your to-do list runs to triple figures? How does it help when work is demanding, relationships are disappointing and your spiritual growth is discouraging?

Awe in practice

Awe is a feeling, but it is a transformative one. It reorders our loves and renews our perspective. It changes the way we view our material possessions (or lack of them), our relationships and our circumstances.

We see this throughout the Psalms as the psalmists purposefully direct their attention to the Lord when their circumstances are painful or overwhelming. As they remember His greatness and reflect on His grace, their strength is renewed, their hearts are comforted and their joy returns (e.g. Psalms 27; 31; 63; 73; 102).

When we live in awe of God as the Creator and Giver of every good thing, the material things we own—or aspire to own—hold an appropriate place in our lives. We enjoy the benefits of them without depending on them for our ultimate comfort or joy. We appreciate them but don’t live for them. We also learn to delight in the gifts God has given our friends and co-workers without envy or entitlement.

In a similar way, awe of God lessens our dependence on people to meet our emotional needs. We’re created to live in community, so we shouldn’t isolate ourselves from other people. But understanding that God is the only one who can bring true comfort, perfect security and complete satisfaction keeps us from placing unbearable burdens on the people closest to us. And it means life won’t completely fall apart when those people hurt, betray or reject us.

Awe of God also alters the way we respond to challenging circumstances. Most of us have a default response in times of trial:

• Some are prone to anxiety...
• others like to take control
• Some believe they can work their way out of trouble...
• others sink into despair and despondency
• Some get angry...
• others retreat into isolation and introspection

We don’t always realise it, but each response is shaped by hope or fear of something or someone other than our glorious Lord, who is supremely powerful and ruling over each detail of our lives with perfect love and sovereign care.

But when our attention is directed to Him rather than our circumstances—when our default is to “behold [our] God” (Isaiah 40v9), when we remember who He is and what He is like—we gain a Spirit-directed perspective and are less entangled by cynicism, worry, fear, anger, discouragement and a desire for control. The trials are not necessarily resolved, but our response to them is different.

I’m not sure how to resolve things with my friend—it may take a while. But redirecting my focus has enabled me to view the situation with greater humility and with confidence that the one who has perfect wisdom is more than able to guide me through it. Rather than feeling frustrated, I am able to trust the Lord to comfort and sustain me, and to enable me to honour Him in my responses (both outwardly and in my head!).

Awe of God—His character, works and unchanging glory—changes everything.