Are You Afraid?

Having grown up on a farm, I learned that you had to be careful. Don’t get in a hurry. Things will break, if they do, stop and fix them. Don’t make things worse by ignoring the problem. But, there was always fear: Fear you would tear up something and get a whooping, fear of forgetting a step and then having to do it all over again, fear of running out of gas in the middle of the field and getting chewed out because you didn’t top off the tank before you left the barn. But, my greatest fear was of SNAKES and mice; two things that were plentiful around the farm.

I’m sure my neighbors have heard more than one scream from my yard. Did I say, “I HATE SNAKES?” I am AFRAID of them. They can do things I can’t. They can move faster than me. They can go places I can’t get to. My fear is a healthy fear, I think. If they stay away, I stay healthy. Ha! Actually, almost 50 years ago, on a Good Friday, when I was 8, my brother and cousin, who were 5, were both bitten by a single copperhead. After all of the stories I’ve heard, it is a miracle they survived. There was no antivenom. They had to know the kind of snake in order to treat the bite. That is the only event that I can attribute my fear to. Until that point in time, we just knew to watch out and stay away.

As a mother, fear is right up there with eating and breathing. It is just part of being responsible for another living soul that owns part of your heart. As I have gotten older and hopefully wiser, the fear has not left but instead has been replaced by God’s promise of never leaving or forsaking me. Do I still have fear? Of course, but it doesn’t paralyze me. It doesn’t keep me from living. Do I still fear snakes? YES! But, I also know that God will protect me. If I’m bitten, he will care for me. If I die, I will live with Him.

I refuse to live in fear. God has given us the tools (His Word) to battle our fears. The last two years has tested all of us in our ability to not live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. We must continue to look to His word; breathe in the confidence of His promises, live our lives for His glory, let His light shine in us as we refuse to cower in fear, go boldly about living for God’s glory. The verses below are only a few that give us God’s promises. May they give you hope and courage in the new year and remove the fears that hold you back from fully living this life God has given you.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Psalms 55:22 David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.

Isaiah 41:10 So, 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.