What are you afraid of?
“Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—”
Psalm 49:5 NIV
I am afraid of a lot of things. Spiders, millipedes, mice, rats and tornadoes. Especially tornadoes. Growing up I was terrified every time the tornado sirens would go off. It didn’t matter what my mom or dad said, until the storm passed I was terrified. I still don’t like tornadoes, but I don’t live in as much fear.
The above passage asks the question “why should I fear?” I have always struggled with the teaching in scripture to not be afraid. Fear is such an automatic response for me that I can’t stop it, most of the time. Our fight or flight response is instant and God given. So why are we taught from a young age to not fear?
Fear is not a sign of the lack of faith or trust. It’s a sign that we are human. There are many things that happen over a lifetime that teach us to fear. And…we have a God who reminded us hundreds of times to not be afraid. We have a God who is present and near.
“But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.”
Psalm 49:15 NIV
We may never be able to avoid fear. But we can confidently know we will never face it alone.
Dear God, may fear not overwhelm us. May fear propel us to you. May we remember your nearness and may your peace comfort our hearts. Amen.
Mandy
Sixty-six books in a year 