Many years ago when my daughter was
about 7 yrs old she expressed her fear to me as I tucked her into bed that
night. I asked her what she was afraid
of. The strangest answer came out of her
mouth, “because Cousin Colin might be in the tunnel and the tunnel might break
and the water come in and drown him.” I
was stunned for a couple minutes not knowing what to say.
There was no reason for her to even
think of this as a possibility! He
rarely went to the states, he could always take the bridge, she was probably
only in the tunnel once or twice, and none of these subjects had been freshly
discussed. Where did this irrational
fear come from? We all have fears
whether rational or not.
Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they
comfort me. Ps. 23:4
Fear seems to enclose us: job loss, disease such as cancer,
financial ruin, broken relationships, foreclosure, gangs, rape, robbery,
assault, etc., but especially death. The
news helps promote fear by reminding us of all the evil that surrounds us-
continually. Our bodies are closer to
dying every minute and with accidents, disease, violence and sin… we live in the shadow of death every
day.
Just the other day I was a little
fearful about one of my kid’s future.
Talking to the Lord about it, He asked me if I thought He feared. After almost laughing I thought, ‘No. You are the most powerful being in the
universe. You are more powerful than the
universe and everyone/ everything in it.
Your power is immeasurable.’ The
immensity of His power settled deep within me as I meditated on it. Then I heard that still small voice
whispering, “My Spirit dwells in you.” (Rom. 8:11)
His Spirit dwells in me! Long ago I stopped fearing death for that
only affects my body, but my spirit will live on in heaven. “O death, where is
your sting? O grave, where is your
victory?” (1Cor. 15:55) His Spirit lives in me and there is no fear
in Him- I never thought about it that way before. If the most powerful being is my Father and
His Spirit lives in me, then really, why fear?
“For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you
have received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba, Father!” (Rom. 8:15).
Years ago I realized that nothing or no
one could kill me one nano-second before the Lord wanted me home- and the same
goes for my family. But other fears
still poke their heads up once in a while.
{Maybe not so much anymore.} I
don’t have to be afraid of what others think of me, or can do to me (Ps. 27:1)
because God Almighty is on my side walking with me through any trouble (Ps.
23:4). He gives me His peace so I am not
afraid (Jh. 14:27). When natural disaster strikes, I do not need
to fear (Ps. 46:2).
As I sleep at night, fear does not need
to consume me, “When you lie down, you shall not be afraid…” (Pr. 3:24). And when other fears creep up, I can call on
Him to deliver me from them (Ps. 34:4; Jer. 1:8). Fear is not from God but from our enemy (2Tm.
1:7) who seeks to destroy (Jh. 10:10)
but Christ has given us the victory (1Cor. 15:57).
It comes down to the same basic issue I
always seem to be dealing with- trusting myself and my loved ones completely in
His care. If I do this, leave myself and
loved ones in His care, then what have I to worry about or fear? Nothing!
He is more than able to exceed all my expectations (Eph. 3:20).
“…My peace I give to you… Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid.” (Jh. 14:27)
Do not fear; for I am with you;
be not dismayed; for I am your God. I will make you strong;
yes, I will help you;
yes, I will uphold you with
the right hand of My righteousness.
Is. 41:10