Fear
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
A week before my wedding I took my cousins, who were my flower girls, to the beach for a day of fun. I noticed that the sandbar was really close to us—so we waded into the ankle deep water and took a short walk on the sandbar. It’s so fun to be on the sandbar with water in front of you and behind you.
That is, until you notice that the sandbar is suddenly disappearing with the incoming tide. Though my cousins were young, they were great swimmers. When they realized the water was over their heads, they were filled with fear. The water was murky and they couldn’t see the bottom. They were scared about what lurked below—of crabs and sharks that could be nearby.
I was afraid too. I knew they were good enough swimmers to swim the short distance to shore but I was worried that they were going to become paralyzed by their fear (and mine). I continually tried to reassure them that they were doing great and were almost back to shore. Thankfully someone noticed that we were all three in trouble. A high school boy offered us his surfboard so that we could make our way safely back to shore.
On that particular day, we were fearful of the unknown. I couldn’t guarantee that we would make it back to shore without being harmed. My cousins feared the worst and forgot how competent they were to swim such a short distance.
Everyone fears the unknown. We all want to know the future and control it too. It’s hard to feel so helpless and powerless over your life and circumstances. “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Though we know it, it’s hard to believe it. Thankfully Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He knows our fears and meets us in our fear. Though we walk through the valley of deep darkness, He is with us to comfort, protect and lead us. Run to Christ with your fear and find refuge in Him.