I have been thinking a lot about fear lately, mostly fear of the unknown. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? The fear of not knowing what’s going to happen, how it’s going to happen, or how it will all turn out in the end.
We fear things may not turn out the way we want them to. We fear we won’t know how to handle it if it does. Fear can spawn anxiety, irritability and an overall sense of uneasiness or doom. Not knowing the future, well, let’s just say, it’s downright uncomfortable. Like it or not, we cannot be in control of everything in our lives. Some situations are beyond our reach. And that, my friends, is scary. This can cause an increase in muscle tension, higher blood pressure and ultimately it can affect our health. We may snap at those around us unwillingly or seek solitude where tears can overflow unseen.
To put it simply, fear is ugly.
Thankfully, God knows all about our fear. He knows we are humans and cannot see beyond the present as He can. Did you know the number one command in the Bible is not Love one another (although that’s a good one!), but Do not fear? It is mentioned 365 times in the Scriptures! Hmm, God must’ve known our tendency to be afraid, so He made sure to remind us every single day to fear not.
Now that’s a pretty awesome God!
See, God knows we are mere mortals and we fear that which we cannot understand. He knows the paralyzing effects fear has in our lives. But He also knows (and so should we) that everything will be okay. No matter the outcome – a poor prognosis, a pass on a much-deserved promotion, a simple ‘no’ to that one thing we’ve been holding onto – it’s okay. God’s got this. He always has.
How many times can we look back over our lives and realize, only in hindsight, that God was there with us every step of the way? Has He ever taken care of a situation unexpectedly and in a way that worked out for the best? He usually does.
“The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, o my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” Psalm 116:6-7 has always pulled me through the tough times. Don’t fear the unknown – even though you may be tempted to. God is holding you in His arms through it all. He’s never left us. Let’s be like the Psalmist says in Psalm 112:7: “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
We have a limited view of the future, but God always sees the bigger picture. Always. He’s taken care of us before and He will take care of us again. Never forget that! Fear has no power next to our Father, so be at rest once more, dear friend. Fear not what the future may hold, because we know Who’s holding the future! Take comfort in knowing we all struggle with trusting at some point in our lives. Just remember, whether rain or shine, you will not be going through it alone, friend, I promise.
God is greater than our fear!!
The Write Side Up 