Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all
these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of
them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them
is missing. Isaiah 40: 26
We all fear things.
Something as small as a virus or as big as an earthquake. As
harmless as a butterfly or as deadly as a nuclear blast. Things, like
terrorists, that attack from without or things, like cancer, that wreaks
havoc from within. We fear what is real, we fear what's imagined. Our fears
define us. They shape our actions and guide our decisions. For some, fears become
so powerful they imprison us.
We have reasons—good reasons—for our fears. Experience has taught us to beware, there is danger ahead. We pay heed to this warning,
internalize it, and begin to harbour, shelter, cherish our fears.
Why?
Why do we fear things?
I believe we fear things because we’re aware of our human
limitations. We strive to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
To keep safe.
At the risk of sounding like a thoughtless dare-devil, I’m
going to suggest that ‘trying to keep safe’ is not our job.
That’s not to say we should ignore the truth that actions
have consequences, and that careless actions can have deadly consequences. I'm
not suggesting we negate our responsibility to nurture and protect others.
But if we believe God is God, then our safety is His domain.
Viruses and earthquakes may harm us. Butterflies and war, violence
and disease may threaten to crush us. But In
God we are not overwhelmed.
The One who created the universe and holds it all together
is watching over us. And whatever situations he permits us to face, we can rest
in one truth.
We are not alone.
Everywhere we turn lately, it seems people are working hard to convince us to be afraid. This fear is not from our God. As Believers in Jesus we need to stand against fear, in all its forms.
Why?
Because the one who is in you
is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Scriptures to Ponder:
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us
all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Rom
8: 32
If God is for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:31
He is before all things, and in him all things hold
together. Colossians 1:17
In him we live and move and have our being’ Acts 17:28
She'd love to hear from you.
Isaiah 41:10 is a favourite "goto" verse for me: "Fear not, for I am with you says the Lord." It was a hymn I grew up singing in church and when fear knocks at my door I sing this under my breath.
ReplyDeleteI think (but don't quote me, Jayne) "Do not be afraid" or similar is one of the most repeated verses in the Bible and I believe it goes back to the first emotion Adam & Eve experienced after eating of the apple. They felt fear when God approached and they hid.
Excellent encouragement, Jayne. This is something we all need to hear repeatedly. Out God is good and He is with us at all times.
Bless,
Thanks Ian. I love that verse too. There are SO many 'fear not' verses in the Bible. God is working very hard to get the message across yet I can be so dull about it!
ReplyDelete