When We Fear

While visiting a Sunday school class, the pastor asked, “How many of you pray every night before going to sleep?”

Every hand in the class went into the air. “That’s wonderful,” he said. And continued, “How many of you say your prayers every morning before going to school or out to play?” Everyone but George raised their hand.

“George,” he asked, “tell me why you don’t pray each morning.”

Quickly he responded, “Well, it’s because I’m not afraid in the day time. I can see everything around me.”

Fear can often be very helpful and useful. It usually accompanies a feeling of alarm or an unexpected event that may be something we cannot control. It can help us to be alert to dangers or objects that could do us harm. It might even be caused by guilt or shame for something we have done or not done, reminding us to ask God for His mercy and forgiveness.

David once wrote, “I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” People can harm us, causing suffering, pain, humiliation and even death. But no one can ever rob us of our soul or the future we can have with our Father. We only need to fear God who controls this life and access to His presence in the life to come.

Prayer: Father, as we place our faith in You, may we live in peace knowing that in Your love we are safe and secure, now and in eternity. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust without a fear. What can flesh do to me?