"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and sound judgment."
2 Timothy 1:7
I had seated myself in the floor right in front of the television. It was the year we had spent in our church pastorium while our house was being built. I was working on our family photo albums, waiting until the time I had to leave to meet Dana and do our civic duty at the voting polls (year; 1999).
I had just started a load of laundry in the washing machine and had closed the door behind me as I made my way into the family room. As I was working on the photos and listening to whatever was on the tv I heard the backdoor open and close and then soon saw, from the way the sun was shining into the laundry room, a shadow of footsteps from under the closed door. My first thought was, "Oh good, Dana decided to come home and get me so we could ride together." As I waited for him to open the door and come into the room I heard the back door close again and immediately wondered why he would have come in the back door in the first place (we always entered through the garage door).
As I got to my feet and headed to the laundry room I reached for the door knob and chills ran up my spine and the hair on my arms stood at attention. I then turned and ran to the dining room windows (in the front of the house) and saw a truck speeding away from our driveway, squealing tires down the road that ran in front of the house.
There was no doubt I faced danger that day. What could have turned bad for me in the end just scared me terribly. The police came and from his observation saw where the back door had been compromised to allow this person access into the house, but upon entry he realized he wasn't alone and quickly fled the scene. Obviously there to take what wasn't his but cause no harm to anyone (praise Jesus).
We are faced with choosing fear or faith everyday. Sometimes things happen that cause us to have a healthy fear, like spine-tingling, hair-spiking incidences that we should positively pay attention to.
Then there is the fear of what we have all been experiencing lately with this virus. Sickness, hospitalizations (alone), concern over elderly parents and grandparents, schools closing and now reopening and what that may bring. Some may even be dealing with losing your job. You may be facing a health crisis or that of a loved one or maybe anxiety issues of 'what if's'. No matter how strong we may be in our faith, we sometimes worry.
Let me remind you (and myself) of a couple of verses that should set all these things into perspective and give us a glimmer of hope.
"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry..." (Matt. 6:27-28;30-31)
What a beautiful reminder that no matter what you are going through or what you might be facing tomorrow, you can still live in peace. There will always be circumstances out of your control that will give you reason to worry, but remember you have a Father who knows and cares for you.
We can choose to walk with Him in fear or in faith. Which one will you choose?
I love you & He loves you more!
Lord, You have given us a spirit of power, love and sound judgment. Help us to cling to You in times of doubt and uncertainties. Draw us to You and may we choose to walk in faith. In Jesus' name. Amen.