A
quick Google search defines fear as, “an unpleasant emotion caused by the
belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a
threat.” Sometimes we irrationally perceive someone or something to be
dangerous. I’m terrified of birds. A bird has never attacked me nor do I
actually think one would, but sneaking a viewing of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The
Birds” before I hit my teens scarred me for life. Sometimes our fears are
grounded in something more real. A real life hurt can leave us scarred, unable
to fathom facing that experience again, and held tight in the clutches of the
fists of fear.
My
three year old started to get upset about going to Mother’s Morning Out after
another child hit her. Every morning she would reluctantly go after expressing
“fear” about being hit again. (She is very in tune with her feelings thanks to
having a mom with a degree in counseling and a slight addiction to watching Daniel
Tiger who often shares about his feelings.) Her fear in this situation was
justified. Someone did hit her. Side note, this mama bear went through a little
bit of an emotional battle myself. Your child being hurt can make you a little
crazy. A safety bubble might have been given some serious consideration. In the
end, I didn’t comfort her by telling her she would never get hit again. I knew
that might not be true. I did tell her that if someone hurts her she can tell
her teachers because they are there to keep her safe and to discipline those
that disobey. She now knows if something happens, there is a safe place for her
to turn. There is someone who will comfort her and bring justice.
Just as I encouraged my toddler that her teachers are present to comfort her and make
things right, God is present with His children. Isaiah 41:10 says, “fear not,
for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I
will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” He is able to
strengthen, help, and uphold. He will one day make all things right and His
justice and righteousness will prevail. The hard truth is that I am not free
from hurt, danger, or struggle this side of heaven just like my sweet girl will
possibly be hit again or experience some other hurt. She’ll probably find herself
on the hitting side as well and that will be a whole other can of parenting
worms to deal with. There is much to fear in this world, but there is much to hope
for in the world to come. That said, the crippling trio of fear, worry, and
anxiety can throw emotional waves my way that have thrown me into deep waters
where I have felt certain I would drown. Fearing the unknown or the
uncontrollable can lead to worry that I can’t shake which leads to anxiety
taking it’s toll on my body and soul.
A truth I know, but have a hard time
conceding to, is that I cannot cast off this fear by my own strength and will power
and in the graciousness of God I don’t have to. I can admit I can’t and cry out
to the One who can. Jesus gives the gift of peace of mind and heart (John 14:27).
He may not give it right away, but I can wake up each day fixing my eyes on Him
- even eyes that are flooded with tears. I can cry out as the Psalmist, “My health may
fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he
is mine forever (Psalm 73.26).” My
fears can be turned to faith by looking to the One who offers eternal comfort and
life. My circumstances may not change. I may experience the things I fear most,
but I can survive the temporary troubles with my eyes fixed on the eternal
comforts. There really is no faith to have if there is no fear to overcome. Faith is often found and strengthened in the fury of the storms. I love these lyrics from
“Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor”:
“Christ
the sure and steady anchor, in the fury of the storm. When
the winds of doubt blow through me, and my sails have all been torn. In the suff'ring, in the sorrow, when my sinking hopes
are few, I will hold fast to the anchor, it shall never be removed.”
1 John 4 says that if there is truly
something to fear it is God’s judgment day. Yet, I can face that day confidently
in Jesus. If I can face the day of God’s judgment with confidence in Jesus, I
can face and survive whatever a day that will wither like grass may throw my
way (Isaiah 40:8). Strength to endure and faith to press on can come as I fix
my eyes on the eternal hope in Jesus who gives me peace for the day when God
will make all things right, will wipe away every tear once and for all, and
will be at home with His people forever (Revelations 21:1-4). I pray for God to
keep me reminded that the stormy days will pass and a new day will come. I hold
to the comfort of knowing God is with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9). When panic
hits, He is near. When overwhelming waves of emotion hit, He is present.
I do not say this naively as if it is
as easy to live as it is to type. This is a battle this side of heaven. I have
to fight to keep the Truth before me. Sometimes my house looks a bit like a
post-it cube exploded because of the scripture I’ve written on them and placed
on walls, mirrors, doors, and wherever I can to keep it before me. I listen to
music filled with truth that strengthens my faith, dispels my fears, and calms
my emotions. It also amazes me how God will prompt someone to encourage me or
offer to pray for me when I desperately need it, but don’t have the strength to
seek it. I need people walking this road of turning fear to faith with me,
encouraging me, and reminding me of what is true when I’m struggling to believe
it myself. Praise God for the people who have walked hard roads with me!
Truthfully, He’s often used them to carry me a mile or two!
Whether our fears emerge out of
irrational thinking or the perils of life, our faith can be held tight by the
anchor of Christ. We can have confidence in something to hope for and assurance
of what our sometimes hurt or fearful eyes can’t see (Hebrews 11:1). As one of
my favorite hymns says, “when all around my soul gives way, He then is all my
hope and stay (On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand).”