Leviticus 8, Matthew 8, 2 Thessalonians 1
We live in a world where we are driven by fear. It must be the best psychological motivator because you can’t turn on the television, listen to the radio, or get online without being inundated by fear driven messaging. There is a high terror alert… there are life-threatening storms… we are in danger of dying from life-threatening diseases… we are on the verge of financial calamity… we are surrounded by violent criminals… and on and on.
Fear wears us down. It makes us apathetic. Living in fear sucks all the joy out of life for us. We lose our ability to make rational decisions. We develop health issues because of fear and the ensuing worry.
Fear is a natural reaction to danger. It is part of how God created us. It helps us stay alive. However, we were not made to live in continual fear. Fear is a tool of the devil. You see it all the way back in the garden of Eden. He used the fear of missing out on something to deceive Eve. He, and his minions use fear to manipulate and keep us down.
Understanding that we are in God, because there is no place in the universe that God is not, and God is in us through his indwelling Holy Spirit, can give us peace in the storms of life when waves of fear are washing over us. In Matthew 8, Jesus was asleep in a boat with the disciples when a “furious storm came up.” The waves were sweeping over the boat, yet Jesus slept on. He must have been exhausted.
When he was awakened his response seems harsh. He said, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew8:26NIV Fear is a natural response to danger and threats. Jesus’ response in this situation is more about their lack of faith than their fear. Having seen all of the miracles Jesus did, the disciples still did not feel safe with him. To their credit, when it got so bad that the waves were sweeping over the boat, they woke Jesus up saying, “Lord, save us!”
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone.”1 There is no place in the universe where God is not. God is in us through the presence of his indwelling Holy Spirit. Fear is a natural reaction to danger, but we were not made to live in it. When you realize you are living in fear, cry out, “Lord, save me! Help me to be at peace in You!”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I am grateful that I can trust myself to your care, in this world, and in the world to come! Thank you for always being with me! Help me to catch myself when I am living in fear and call out to you. Lord help me to live in your peace that passes all understanding. Amen.
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[1] A Statement of Faith of the United Church of Canada, A New Creed (1968; rev. 1980, 1995).
Thinking About and Being a Child of God 