FEAR

CRASH. I heard this sound while watching TV and eating my lunch. The next thing I heard was my dog Isaac running up the stairs. He leaped on the couch and ran over to sit on my lap. All 22 pounds of him was shaking and afraid. I don’t know if he created the crash, but whatever the cause, he was just frightened, and he ran as fast as his little legs would carry him to where he felt safe and secure. He knew I would protect him because of the way I have reacted to him in the past.

As I thought about this incident with Isaac, I was reminded of when my children would either call out to me at night or climb into bed with their dad and me. They were afraid and needed comfort, protection, peace, and love. The question I have for myself is, where do I go when I am afraid?

The fears I face as an adult may differ from those of a child. At times, the anxieties of life are overwhelming, and fear takes over my mind and heart. I may worry over my children, that they will be safe as they drive, make good decisions at school, and be protected as they come and go. There is no end to the number of ways we can and will take on anxiety. The answer to all these instances is always the same—Jesus.

Jesus is our source of strength and hope. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). God knows we will experience fear. There is some debate about how often the phrase “do not be afraid” or its variations appear in Scripture. The point is that the command not to fear appears many times throughout the Old and New Testaments. Although expressed repeatedly, this command is one of the hardest to follow.

Some of the things we may fear are the unknown, loss, failure, rejection, and change. According to science, we fear to survive. Those who lack a proper perspective on fear will not survive the obstacles and challenges of life. We have been taught not to walk out into traffic for fear of getting hit, not to touch a hot stove for fear of getting burnt, to keep our distance from people with communicable diseases so as not to get infected, and to run for our lives when a sound or someone scares us. We have all heard to trust our gut. If you feel something is off, it probably is.

I see the point of fear as a form of protection; however, everyday fear is not good for the soul. It robs you of the joy that comes from simply being alive. If I am always looking over my shoulder, I am not enjoying today. Fear over tomorrow will rob you of the joy of today. I read a story about a family where the father was not feeling well. He and his wife visited several specialists because they thought there was something very wrong with his health. Even after receiving a clean bill of health, they would go to another specialist because they were afraid for his health. During a visit with the last specialist, they reviewed the entire history of their journey, so he ordered additional tests. After reviewing the results, he met with the family. He told them there was nothing wrong with him, and his best advice was not to be afraid and live their life; wise advice for all of us.

Living in fear brings nothing good into my life. It may leave me paralyzed with anxiety and worry. I may not be able to make wise choices about upcoming decisions. I may drive my family crazy because I worry about them and don’t trust them to make good decisions. Fear may keep me in a rut because I’m afraid to make a life change. Worry and fear will adversely affect every aspect of life.

We will all experience times that feel out of control. Initially, we may feel like we can handle the chaos. This external chaos may gradually affect our internal ability to cope over time. We will inevitably begin to feel worry and fear. What is the antidote to fear in this chaotic and stressful world? David says in Psalm 23, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. How could he make such a bold statement? I believe it is because he knew whom he trusted – God. God is the only person worthy of all our trust. He loves us in a way that we will never comprehend. We must learn to trust in his love and peace to overcome anything we face in our lives.

The first step is to run to the Father and pray. Like my dog knew he was safe with me, I know I am safe in the Father’s arms. As we learn to lean into trusting God in all circumstances, we can have peace not from this world but from the Father. Philippians 4:6 stresses that we should not be anxious about anything but rather, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. Many Christians often quote this verse. However, we forget to quote v.7 with it. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What a tremendous promise that we will receive His Peace as we relinquish fears and anxieties to God. Jesus also told us in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”

Everyone will experience fear in life. The question is what or who we turn to when fear and anxiety come upon us. Allowing the Peace of God to enter my heart is another step toward experiencing worry-free living. I must know the truth of the Bible so I can discern when the enemy is deceiving me during times of fear. God does not change; He loved, protected, and cared for His children in the Bible, and He will do the same for us. Each day will come with a new set of issues. Matthew 6:34 says, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  There is no need to worry, for our Father knows what we need even before we do.

In God’s Antidote to Worry, I love how Pastor Frank Santora put it: “Worry, or double-mindedness, hurts both our ability to stand in faith and our ability to function successfully. So, one of the most powerful weapons against the daily attacks of the enemy is having a heart filled with the Peace of God. The Peace of God gives us the power to incapacitate the enemy and subdue every problem sent our way. It’s one of God’s most powerful gifts in this life.”

Don’t struggle under the weight of whatever is keeping you in fear and anxiety. God never asked you to carry the burden of fear. Give it over to God, trust him fully, and then experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. Stand firm in the truth of who God is and who you are to him, his child. He loves you, knows what is best for you, and always wants you to trust him.