“Nothing to Fear—But Fear Itself” Franklin D. Roosevelt

I will fear no evil for you are with me;… Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing the body, has power to throw you into hell.” Luke 12:4-5 (NIV)

FEAR is the word that we are hearing in every newscast and headline. There is a frenzy of buying of masks, waterless soap, and sanitizing wipes. Schools are closing and I have even seen email alerts from churches who are considering not holding services. FEAR!

A Christian does not abdicate his/her brains when they walk in faith but they do check their emotions. It is emotion that can cause me to ignore facts and focus on the “maybe’s” and “what if’s”. It is emotion that has me thinking all manner of things when I do not hear from my grown children. My imagination can rival George Lucas. The Wookies and Jar-Jar binks are child’s play for what I can imagine once my emotions kick in – fear!

My very good friend once advised me to never hold back with God. Tell Him everything that is running through my mind. Yes, He already knows it – but something happens when I put voice or pen to what is in my mind. When I speak it out loud or write it down on paper, the emotion seems to drain out of it and truth becomes more clear. The truth is sifted or drained from the emotion and I can lift the truth and say, “This is truth, isn’t it God?”

Each of us has a button(s) that the enemy can use to ‘turn on the fear’. Certainly the safety and care of those we love is an easy button for him to find. Put on your Godly armor (Ephesians 6) and look that fear in the eye – and spit the Word of God at it! “I do not fear you! I am the child of THE King! BE GONE!”

In the days ahead, whether it is swine flu or a terrorist attack, a child or husband late coming home, whatever is the ‘button’ that can be pushed in life to ring up fear – let us “pray without ceasing” as Paul said and keep God sifting our cares through His colander of truth. Begin each day with a time to commit all of our cares to God. End each day with thanksgiving for all He has done. And in between – call on His name – because He is there!