Fear. We have all experienced it.
Of course our fear is expressed in a variety of ways. Yet some will declare that they have no fear. When I hear someone desperately trying to convince another of their fearlessness, most of the time it is unconvincing. In fact, such declarations often leave me wondering why they are so determined to convince another of their fearlessness.
When I hear a person candidly tell another that she or he is sometimes afraid, terrified, nervous, worried or scared, I know I am dealing with someone who is being real and transparent about their lives.
I know fear. I have been afraid and at times I still deal with fear. Most of my fears occur in the middle of the night. I will awaken after sleeping for several hours and then think of something unpleasant that could happen later in the week. I can sometimes imagine the worst possible outcome.
The resurrection of Jesus can give us great security and confidence for the future (Matthew 28:20). Resurrection gives us power to live in the future. We live in the power of his living presence.
“I am with you always.”
- How do I make it through this cancer? “I am with you always.”
- How do I deal with such a difficult marriage? “I am with you always.”
- How do I go to that high school and live the way God wants me to live instead of lowering my standards? “I am with you always.”
- How can I be a person who has the courage to reach out to others who are not Christ-followers? “I am with you always.”
- How do we rear our children in such a godless world? “I am with you always.”
- How do we pray believing that things will be different as the result of prayer? “I am with you always.”
- How can we be a church that is dead? Dead to sin. Dead to self-centeredness. “I am with you always.”
- How can we be a church where we build up, encourage, and commit instead of give up, cave in, and live in fear? “ I am with you always.”
This promise from the living Jesus really has helped me. His presence in my life is greater than whatever fear I might experience.