Fear-less
Right now our world seems a little crazy as half the planet is in lockdown or encouraged social distancing. It can feel maddening as we navigate social media, news or even conversations we have with family or friends. It seems to be all anyone can talk about. I know I am fatigued talking about it and even with social distancing, I want to talk about other things. It’s hard to know who’s info to trust and what is an appropriate response. It’s easy to just go with the panicked flow and get our minds twisted with fear. Just going to the grocery store makes you feel like you have to spend every penny you have to be sure you get enough. How should we be acting and what does the Bible say about all of this?
Isaiah 40 is a great chapter to read if we are wondering if God is big enough to handle our greatest concerns. This chapter just goes to show us that God is sovereign over all things. No thing, virus, election, war, etc, is outside His control and reach. Understanding the sovereignty of God is understanding that He has numbered our days before even one began. No virus or war or anything that comes into our lives can change that. We are to be wise with our days but regardless of how wise we are, He alone knows how many days we have. Fearing death does not lengthen our lives. In fact, the stress that fear brings, actually causes our bodies to break down and become sick. We are best to trust the One who is in control of all things, with all things. He alone can bring good from any situation. He alone can take a difficult time and use it to build His church, which we know is His people. He alone can take a time of worldwide fear and grow us to be more bold and willing to live sacrificially for the good of those around us.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. These are the times we can live counter to the culture. We don’t have to be consumed with fear but we can walk through uncertain days with power and confidence. This is the Spirit of God that dwells in us. If we realize that we are filled with fear during this time, we have to realize we have not placed our trust in God alone. We have trusted something else and when that gets shaken so do we. We can ask God to reveal those areas in us that we have placed our trust in. maybe it’s provisions, money, health, it can be so many things. We need to repent that we have taken God off the throne and put up a god of our own making. Then, we can reach out to others during this time and act with power, confidence and love, sharing the hope we have. Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. It is God in us that gives us the strength to stand when times are hard. It isn’t something we muster up in ourselves. It’s letting go of the fear and choosing to trust God with each day and each decision. Our God has great things planned for this season of life. We each get to be a part of that when we choose to be used by God to show love when others want to be cruel and unkind. Because we walk in confidence of God’s provision we can feed those around us who have less than what we do. We can invite others to study God’s word with us as we seek answers and comfort in this time. We can live like Jesus did. Loving on others and spending time praying for the sick. We serve a Mighty God. He will not leave us today nor any day. He is for us!
Matthew 25:40-45 shows us how Christ feels about us loving on our neighbors and not being fearful or hoarding. He tells those around Him that when they serve others, it’s just as if they are serving Him. We are showing our love for Christ by serving others. And as we serve, we can share God’s love and hope for them. I for one am excited wondering what God is going to do in this crazy time. Every time there is a fearful situation, God’s people rise up and the Kingdom of God flourishes.
All throughout scripture, God has shown us these times will come. Suffering and trials will happen. But it is not a time to shrink back, rather a time to boldly go and proclaim the hope that God has given us. We do not have to fear. We can be both wise and bold. They aren’t mutually exclusive. We can understand how to protect those around us by washing our hands and still serve those who are in our communities. If we are those who get the virus, then that too is a time to rejoice and trust God. How beautiful is it to have time to pray for your community and spend extra time soaking in God’s word? There is no losing in this season if we follow Christ. But there is a choice. We can choose to let our fear drive us or we can choose to trust and live in peace. My days are held in the Almighty’s ever faithful hand.
Pressing in to who Christ is in this time will create a heart that is full and blessed even after this time of trial is over. Let this season create in you a heart that lives to share the gospel even when danger is imminent. We can be a people who are filled with praise in sickness and in health. We can be at peace in life and in death. Our God is great and worthy to be praise no matter what the world is doing. We are always messengers of His Good News and there is no safer place than in His hand.
Psalm 91:1-6 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
I am reminded of the story of Esther. Taken from her home land. Forced to live among strangers. Taken by a king to potentially be his wife, against her will. Chosen to be queen. And just when things started settling down, and enemy of her people wanted to exterminate them. She could sit by and only worry about herself or risk her life and go before the king on behalf of her people. Her uncle encouraged her to think wisely. If God is over all that happens to us then, maybe He has placed her at this place, at this time to do His work. So what about you? Knowing God is over all this season of our lives, what situations has He allowed you to be in so that He can use you?
