For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. 26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. Job 3:25-26 KJV

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Ecclesiastes 10:8 KJV

When you dig a ditch to harm another, you will fall victim to your own malice, i.e., the chickens have a way of coming home to roost. It’s an evil thing to dig a ditch for another, but it’s self-destructive when you dig a ditch for yourself. When you’re motivated by fear, as expressed with your negative words and corresponding actions, you’re digging a ditch for yourself to fall into. Fear is the reverse of faith (Prov. 18:21; Matt. 12:37).

God places a hedge of protection about those who believe, i.e., those who put their trust in Him (Ps. 23:6; 34:7-8; 91:11). Like Job, we break our hedge of protection with words of fear (Job 1:10).  Job, though a “perfect and upright” man in his relationship with God—not that he was born without sin—continually lived in fear for his children (Job 1:4-5). When Satan accused Job before God, Job had already broke his hedge of protection with fear (Job 3:25-26). The proof of this is God’s reply to Satan’s accusation against Job was: “Behold, all that he hath is in thy power” (Job 1:12). God didn’t do this, Job did! When Job’s fear broke his hedge, he empowered Satan, his accuser, over his life (Job 1:12; 2:6). Job gave place to the devil (Eph. 4:27).

Fear breaks the hedge of protection around your property, possessions, your prosperity, your love ones, and even your very health (1 John 4:18; 1 Peter 5:7-9). Fear is the reverse of faith and fear breaks the hedge!