Fear August 29, 2021

August 29, 2021

You can feel it, can’t you? It seems to pulsate through the air, sticking to us, surrounding us like a dark shroud, weaving its ugly tentacles around us, and suffocating us to the hope that we can only find in God. Fear. There is such divisiveness and ugly rhetoric on so many levels: vaccinated vs. unvaccinated; masks vs maskless; political unrest; racial unrest; social unrest…so much of the ugliness is driven by fear…fear of “other”.

At the moment, I’m reading the book of Job and came across this verse (Job 8:14-15): “What they trust in is fragile (uncertain); what they rely on is a spider’s web. They lean on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold.” We so want to trust in the things of this world: our government, science, vaccines, masks, basic human goodness. All good things, nothing wrong with these things, but in the end, they are a spider’s web. The only thing…the only One we can lean on…through good times and bad…the only one who will be with us through whatever trial we face, who will hold us through it all…is God. Just like you, I want an end to COVID and I want the evil of Afghanistan to be defeated! But I trust God that He is working all things for His glory and our good.

What is fear? It is our inner selves giving way to all the insecurities and pain in our hearts. It is looking at everything going on around me and believing it all, filtered through the words of others around us, often the media. It is giving in to our weakest self, rather than holding on to the strength that we get through Christ, the strength that comes from within, the hope and faith that was placed within us by God himself.

Recently, I was reminded that fear is not from God. The Bible specifically says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7). If I’m living in fear, my focus is on me and this world, and not on what God has given me, because He very specifically says fear is not from Him! I had mentioned this verse to one of the Mommy’s of a baby I was caring for. She later reminded me of that conversation and that she was working on not letting fear control her thoughts. Having had a child in NICU, that is a big deal. NICU is an incredibly special place. In spite of all that is going on, it is often a place of peace. But these tiny precious babies, who are so unbelievably strong…well, they are often fighting for their very lives, and that is the parents’ worst fear. Having been a NICU Mama, I know the feeling of fear and of having such little control. It can be a scary place. That is what got me thinking about fear.

As I thought of her and our conversation, it got me thinking about the verse…the rest of the verse. We’ll get to that in a minute. 

So, what do I fear? Truly, not much. The worst fear imaginable came true. My child died…Ashley died. So fear is just not so much present in my life. Not gone, but greatly reduced. But I understand fear. Because I have certainly had fear in my life. And Ashley? Well, she most definitely had fears. But God does not want us to live in fear…NOT from Him! 

Ok, back to this verse…specifically, the rest of this verse. And what does that say? Here we go…here’s what God has given us… “a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind”. I love when I hear God’s voice, and He was so clear. Specifically, I was thinking of this sweet NICU Mama, but I so wish that Ashley was here so I could share this with her. I know she would have received my words, and she would have struggled with implementing the truth of this verse in her life because her fears were so real. But she would have tried to recall this verse to mind and we would have often discussed it and her progress with overcoming her fears. I’m so grateful that in heaven she has NO fears!! 

First, “power”…God has given us a spirit of power. Specifically, His power. When we have the power of the Creator of the Universe within us, what do we have to fear?! Nothing will touch me or can touch me…without His ok. Even COVID.

Then, “love”. I can rarely recall sensing fear in my NICU babies. And I think it’s because they know love. Of course love from their Mommies and Daddies, but also from us, the nurses. We may do things that cause pain (to bring healing), but we love these little ones and I think they feel it. Just like God…His love for me is greater than any other love. The word for love here is “agape”…divine love that comes from the Father. Knowing He loves me removes my fear, or it should. He loves me enough that He died for me, for you. And because of His perfect love…well, that love casts out fear. I can rest in His faithful promises. Nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38)!!

Last, God has given us a “sound mind”, or self-control. When I am thinking clearly and rationally, fear has no place. And when I am calm and at peace, those around me will be at peace. And if I am at peace, there is no room for fear. And I can be at rest in Him.

I’m not discounting the things going on in the world today. I’m heart-broken by the images and all that is going on in Afghanistan and other places (updated 3/26/22 to include Ukraine!!). If I were there, I’m pretty sure I’d be struggling with fear, especially for my children. But I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content (not always successful, but much more so since Ashley’s death.) For God will never leave me or forsake me. Evil is triumphing in Afghanistan, and I pray for the people, especially for my brothers and sisters in Christ and for my fellow Americans, and those who have helped our people. I pray for the young children whose lives have changed overnight, for the girls and women who are in harm’s way merely because they are female. I pray for the Christians who must make a literal choice of life or death by choosing to stand with Christ. I cannot imagine the evil that is surrounding them. Yet I serve a God who loves them, and who can still do miracles, a God who will one day make all things right. In a recent message, pastor Gregg Matte referenced I Samuel 23:14…”Saul hunted him (David) day after day, but God didn’t let Saul find him.” I pray that God “will hide them under the shadow of His wings”, that He will hide them in plain sight, and will confound their plans! Even as they walk through this darkest valley of evil, I pray that they will not fear…for God is with them. I serve a God who is trust-worthy…even if He doesn’t do the miracle. Because I know that there is a place of eternal joy in His presence forevermore, and I know that the gates of hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:18). (Side note: The Insanity of God is an amazing book on, among other things, the persecuted church. I encourage you to read it!)

What is the opposite of fear? Confidence, faith, contentment. That is what encompasses me when I resist fear, when I come to God in prayer. I pray that we would each resist fear through faith! It is not faith in faith, but faith in the God of the universe, the same God who created all, who created me, who created you.

This world can be a scary place. But I know the Prince of Peace, and I know there is nothing in this world that I truly have to fear. Man can hurt the body, but my soul’s security is in Christ alone and I know where my soul will be when I die…I know where Ashley’s soul went when her body died.

Our only hope is God, and he is waiting for you with arms open wide. He is waiting for you to tell Him your fears and to meet you in that sacred place with peace and comfort.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13). 💕