Fear
They sat in the floor snacking on popcorn as they watched their cartoons. Not a single care, concern, or worry in their little worlds.
I watched them from my view at the kitchen sink, and I envied them. How nice to be so blissfully ignorant. To feel no pressure on their shoulders. To be free from the weight of the world.
I have personally taken on the role of emotional protector, desiring my home to be a place of joy and happiness, not of anxiety, fear, and worry. We mothers all know our feelings are not only easily detected by our family members but are often imitated. Yet there is no book on how to raise children in a pandemic, and so we’re all figuring this out as we go.
But long before 2020 rolled around, I battled fear. Fear for their health, fear for their safety, fear for their future. And as I’ve watched a nation of people express uninhibited fear this year, I determined I would press into God’s promises rather than forget them.
When Abram was given a monumental task with no example to follow, God said, “Do not be afraid. I am your shield, your every reward.” (Genesis 15:1)
When Isaac found himself in the middle of quarrels, moving place to place, God said, “Do not be afraid; for I am with you.” (Genesis 26:4)
When Moses was faced with yet another enemy, God said, “Do not be afraid, for I have handed him over you to.” (Deuteronomy 3:2)
When Joshua was fighting battles, God said, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. No one of them will be able to withstand you.” (Joshua 10:8)
Each time things heated up, enemies threatened, news wasn’t good, the outcome looked grim, or the task seemed impossible, God met his people with the same phrase, “do not be afraid.”
Friend, you do not have to be afraid. In fact, fear isn’t from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind.”
So if you find yourself battling fear. If worry plagues you and anxiety keeps you up at night, lean into God’s promises, believe them, and let his perfect love cast out all of your fears.
“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… for I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10 & 13)
