I hope that everyone is doing well during this troubling time in our world. So much has changed so fast. People have lost their jobs, their money; many have lost relationships or at least access to certain relationships. Businesses are struggling to get by or are being forced to close down. It appears the world we live in is far less stable than we thought.
When everything changes and our plans are not turning out as we hoped, many thoughts start to creep into our heads. Worry, anxiety, and fear can be all consuming. I have been constantly battling these thoughts and feelings. I have been constantly having remind myself of what is true.
Just recently I remembered a command from God that has been so comforting. You might be thinking, “How is a command comforting? I’m afraid and someone is telling me what to do?” Well it has been said that this command can be found 365 times in scripture! That’s a lot! We should probably pay attention to this command. So are you ready for it? Here it goes, the command is…..
“Don’t be afraid.”
That’s it! Don’t be afraid! Or in some translations, “Fear not!” Here are a few well known places we find this command in scripture. It appears in both the Old and New Testament:
Deuteronomy 31:8
He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Isaiah 43:1
Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.
Matthew 10:31
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matthew 14:27
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Mark 5:36
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
John 6:20
But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
These are just a few of the places where this command shows up. Often times this command is accompanied by God reminding his people who He is. When we realize who God is, we have no need to be afraid.
When I don’t know what the future holds, I don’t need to be afraid.
When I don’t know where I will be living in the next few months, I don’t need to be afraid.
When I don’t know what my job will be, I don’t need to be afraid.
When an infectious virus is spreading all over the world, I don’t need to be afraid.
When I don’t know what will happen to the ministry I’m a part of, I don’t need to be afraid.
When I see my friends struggling in their marriage, I don’t need to be afraid.
When I don’t know who or what to trust, I don’t need to be afraid, and I need to remember that I can trust the one true living God.
He sustains me, he guides me, he provides for me, he cares for me, and above all else, he loves me.
And guess what 1 John 4:18 says,
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear”
God loves us, and we do not have to be afraid. He is God. We might not know what the future holds, but we know the one that holds the future.
Don’t be afraid my friends. Walk in love.
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Brett Balsley, GEM Missionary