September 11, 2019

Yesterday, I did not want to go home. That’s because Shannon had spent the day sitting in front of the computer taking a defensive driving course for an undeserved speeding ticket. She was not in a good mood and I was afraid.

While you may not have a cranky, defensive driving course taking, Shannon in your life, more than likely you have been afraid of something. There are a host of reasons for this fear.

Some are afraid of failing relationships, mounting financial debt, medical test results, public speaking, being misunderstood, self-destructive decisions made by our loved ones, a crashing stock market, the future, job security, rejection, natural disasters, ridicule, the list goes on and on and on….

But for those who follow Christ, while fear may momentarily intrude into our consciousness, we are secure in the knowledge that our God is bigger than any fearful thing that suddenly thrusts itself into our lives.

The message that God continually booms through the universe for those of us who are hard of hearing is, “Do not be afraid.” And this is a message we can build our lives upon.

Christ’s continual message of “Do not be afraid” in no way offers the naive, ignorant message that bad things don’t happen to those who have given themselves to Jesus – they do. And no one gets through this life without scars. Scars are part of the human condition.

But we have no reason to fear because God loves us so much that he has chosen to walk us through both the good and bad times of life. And nothing is more powerful than God!

God says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1-3)

In other words, when we face the scary things that lurk in the darkness of life, God smiles and says, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve got this.”

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me to push aside any worry and fear that I needlessly carry. Help me to trust in your goodness, power, and love. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

God is so big; I don’t even need to be afraid of a cranky Shannon. That proves God is all-powerful.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins