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Handling Fear

Life is filled with uncertainty. In a time when job security is at an almost all-time low, many people are struggling with facing each day. Our environment is falling apart with global warming. Aging brings on health issues which complicate life and make things less pleasurable.

With all the unknowns ahead of us and some of the struggles we have gone through, it is hard to be optimistic about things. Is our world getting better or worse? Is life getting easier or more difficult. Are things simpler or more complicated than what they used to be? What is a person supposed to do with all this uncertainty?

Ultimately, we need to be faithful to what God has called us to.

What do you think the most frequent command that came from the mouth of Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry? “Love one another”? “Preach the Gospel”? “Help the poor”? Did you know Jesus’ most frequently used command was negative? “Fear not!” It seems He gave this command constantly.

The disciples struggled with keeping their focus and faith in Christ. They would take a step and then when things started to get a little rough, they sank. In our lives today, one of the basic problems we face is “worry.” We worry about our futures, our lives and our children. Fear is one of humanity’s greatest problems and Jesus knew it.

The Bible says, in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. “Perfect love casts out fear.”

What does that mean? It means that love is the antonym of fear, it is the opposite. When a person is fearful, it is usually because they afraid of the consequences of actions. It is having a worst case scenario of “if… then” If I do this, then this or that may happen…

But what love does is it replaces the fear with peace. When we walk in the love of God, there is nothing to fear. Look at the Bible. It is full of verses that give us assurance based on our standing with God.

Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

2 John 1:3, “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.”

Psalm 119:165, ” Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble”

Isaiah 54:10, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”

Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Although the weather is getting more pleasant as Spring comes upon us, life itself has become more cloudy and the future is unknown. But as followers of Christ, the One who holds all Creation in His hands, we can have peace.

Our God does not change. What do we fear if the Lord is on our side? May we seek God and bask in His love during these trying times. May His peace and love invade our hearts and minds and may we trust Him to work out His good will in our lives.

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