I’ve noticed that as I’ve gotten older, I get more anxiety about stuff. One area is driving, especially during the winter season and at night. Now it might be because of the weather? It might be because since moving to Edmonton, I’ve noticed the drivers are pretty “angry?” Regardless, I am finding I feel a little more anxiety as I meet the challenges of driving.

Fear is something all of us face in life. It might be from health concerns. It might be from something we used to take for granted like driving? They say that public speaking is one of the top fears people have. There’s something interesting about fear. While you’d think it would diminish with age, experience and maturity, it seems to grow bigger.

So why is that? Maybe it’s because we’re more aware of all the things that could happen. With many youth today, they live lives without the fears and understanding of consequences that many of us do. When a young person gets behind the wheel of a car, they have little idea of the consequences of their actions and the actions of others on the road. Before I get in the car for a trip, I think about whether I have enough windshield washer fluid, I fasten my seat belt and do a quick checklist making sure everything is in place.

In 1 Samuel 27-31, we find one of the stories of David. We usually think of David as a powerful fearless warrior. But in this story, we find him trapped under the control of fear. So what was this brave warrior afraid of? King Saul! King Saul out to slay him? Saul’s army much greater in number than the men around David? Saul’s jealousy and anger burn night and day against David? So David had every right to be afraid, didn’t he?

In the big picture, David didn’t have to be afraid. God had chosen David to be king. Samuel, under the guidance of God, anointed David king! Knowing God had called him to be king, should have given him clear assurance that his life would be preserved until the time came for him to ascend the throne. He had no reason to trust Saul, but he certainly could trust the Lord. His fear stemmed from his weakened faith.

David didn’t consult the Lord, rather he consulted his own heart, which in this instance led him astray. When David was younger, he faced Goliath with a slingshot, while Saul and the rest of the army cringed in fear. Now David had fallen victim to the same kind of dread.

Past faith is no answer to present fear. If we are to finish the race and end well, we can’t trust our feelings, we must trust the word of the Lord. Psalm 125:1,2 says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” When fear overtakes us, we can rest in the assurance that God has promised to be with us always–and He never breaks a promise.

As we enter this new year, we will face challenges and trials. Instead of seeing them as such, may we see them as opportunities for God to do great things in our midst. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” May God give us faith and courage to face the challenges in life. May we find hope and assurance knowing He has promised to walk with us through the very darkest times. Rest on His promises. Rest on His love.