Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Fear

"The Lord, Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." (Exodus 14:14)

It's funny how fear can creep in at the most unexpected time.  
I'm not talking about a fear of spiders, mice or velour pants. I'm talking about disturbances that throw off your balance.

I have a fear of confrontation. 
Isn't that silly?
A woman over the age of (ahem) 40ish, afraid of heated conversations. And fights. And disappointments. One who would rather NOT tell a good friend that they have been hurt, and instead, pretend it never happened.

Sometimes the confrontations are childish, like, not liking what someone said about you. Or maybe it's even more silly, like when you really don't want to talk to the phone company about cancelling their services. 
But sometimes they feel so much more monstrous. Like when someone takes you to court and they want you to acquiese. Or your character is being defamed, and your friends are believing it.
What then?

I love how GOD's Word always pops up at the most perfect time. Always.  
I love how His Word is filled with examples of awful confrontations, including being hunted as a dog, so that you can be assured that He is there. No matter what.

Moses was chased by his enemies, while he was supposed to lead people to safety. Can you even imagine the stress? But GOD was there, wasn't He? Fed them, watered them, parted the Red Sea.
Noah had to build an ark amongst scourners and friends turning against him. And then he had to watch them all die. I'm sure he felt something, then.  GOD was there, too.  We have the glorious rainbow to remind us.
David was one of GOD's chosen and yet his friend, hunted him to kill him.  David had to hide in mountains, sleeping on rocks, but not sleeping because what if he didn't hear someone come in?  GOD was there.
Poor Mary had to deal with wondering whether or not Joseph would believe her, when she said that GOD chose her pregnancy and it wasn't another man.  I'm sure she didn't sleep well, either.  Imagine the worry, but also the joy of knowing you were chosen.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is in the LORD." (Jer 17:7)

It is so easy to forget that we have the greatest Warrior on our side.  That He will take care of us. Sometimes it's easier saying the words, then believing them. But they're true.

So. Be brave, friend.  
"GOD'S got your back."


Jenn Kelly is a writer. Sometimes.

2 comments:

  1. Jenn, thank you for your encouragement today. I experienced such fear only yesterday due to an impending medical appointment. Fortunately, I had my Wednesday night prayer mtg to attend and it came just at the right time. I was able to surrender the fear and receive the Lord's supernatural peace. It was wonderful to feel the Lord's presence so near.

    And now having had the appointment and all was good ... I realise there was need to fear.

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  2. You are so right, Ian. I pray that your appointment went well. Really well.

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