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; will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Today when I woke up I was thinking about how fear can get in the way of simple daily tasks. Particularly I was a very fearful child, I was afraid of the dark, of dentist, hospital and a lot of things, even my parents instructing me in the ways of the Lord and knowing that “heavenly father”, as he affectionately called God, was taking care of me.
This is because I did not understand where these fears came from. Many times we can feel frightened without even knowing the reason. Today, at my 20 years of age, I have overcome many of them, but there is still much to improve. Last week I started my driving lessons and I can say that in the first day I couldn’t even hear the voice of the instructor so afraid that I was hitting the car.
As soon as my first lesson was over I ran to talk to several people to better understand how the clutch, the brake and the other “tools” of the car worked. Already in the second class, it was remarkable the improvement in my performance, I wasn’t so afraid anymore, I knew what I was doing and even started to like it.
Known x Unknown
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalms 23:4
My childhood fears and my recent feelings have something unusual, and it is the factor of ignorance. That is, when we don’t know something we tend to feel fear, which happens because of the feeling of being vulnerable. Fear can be something “good” in certain situations, warning us of dangers, but it can also be bad, when it prevents us from doing something and we cannot let ourselves be paralyzed by it.
The fear of the future
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
Psalms 55:22
It is certain that there is nothing more unknown than the future, and I believe that this is the greatest fear of adult life, the uncertainty of what will come. Something we need to keep in mind is that fear is to anticipate a bad thing and be worried about it, even without its realization.
When I stop to analyze it this way I feel foolish for the times that I felt fear in excess, which is aggravated when I remember the fidelity of the God that I serve. We serve a living God who takes care of every detail, be it small or big.
A Father who cares for us
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
Isaiah 49:15
God is a Father who watches over us, who delivers us from evil even when we don’t realize it, whether it’s when we sleep, when we have to come back from work late at night, in traffic, wherever we go… He is omniscient and omnipotent. When a mother or father is not near their children, God is taking care of them, because our Lord is Father of both parents and children.
Conclusion
You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”
Lamentations 3:57
Our fears can be overcome by trusting God, the Bible teaches us to trust Him, for He is faithful, His faithfulness does not last for a day, nor a night, but forever. When you feel fear, remember what the Lord has already done for you and your family, talk to Him and seek peace in the Holy Scriptures. And don’t forget: He is a Father present and with you at all times.
God bless you!
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