Fear Not!

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10,13

Fear. It's something we all experience at one time or another in our lives. Some people live their lives feeling more fearful than peaceful. Others, living in war-torn areas, such as Iraqi or parts of Africa, have good reason to fear. Many have unreasonable fears stemming from childhood trauma or unexpected negative life events. “Good” fear warns us of impending danger; we’re too close to the edge of a cliff or too near an uncovered electrical wire. Today, let’s think about God’s remedy for fear, not the fear that warns us about impending danger, but rather the unreasonable fear based upon our assumptions.

What is an assumption? The dictionary definition includes the following, “the act of taking to or upon oneself; something taken for granted or accepted as true without proof.” The Bible uses other words to express the same idea. The Bible calls these word vain imaginations. Imaginations or negative, self-defeating thoughts often cause the fear button to switch on inside us.

Let’s look at assumptions and imaginations that cause fear to rise in our hearts. “I’m never going to make it. I can’t get out of this swamp of debt. Cancer is going to ruin my life. My circumstances are hopeless. I’ll never . . . I can’t . . . I hate . . . I won’t forgive him . . . .” Pick one or add your own fear-producing words. What are they? Is there something in your life right now causing you to fear? Something that causes your heart to beat a little faster, your insides to tighten up and your spirit to feel defeated. What is it? Can you name it? If you can name that fear, face it, and do what you can to replace it with God’s help. We’ll rejoice together as peace comes to your heart and mind.

Years ago, I met a young woman from Ghana. She had recently moved to a coastal town in the United States and was waiting for her husband to join her. She waited and waited; she wrote and called, but to no avail. He didn’t call; he didn’t write; and he didn’t come. Abandoned and alone in a foreign country, and eight months pregnant, Shari tried to keep her eyes on God as she walked through the valley. How would she live? What would she do for money, food, and, most importantly, how would she care for her soon-to-be-born baby?

Our meeting was a divine appointment set up by God. Our family adopted her, while others with giving hearts gave food, clothing, and money to help her live week to week. But, it wasn’t us as much as her faith in God that carried her through the difficult days and years ahead. We were only the vessels God used in answer to her prayers and supplications. Often when I’d call or visit Shari, I’d ask how she was doing. Her answer was always the same, “God is taking care of me.”

I attended the birth of her beautiful baby girl and continued to witness faith in action. Shari’s faith in God’s provision in the face of overwhelming circumstances stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Shari told me that through these difficult years she learned to depend upon God’s word to guide her and give her strength and comfort. All along, God gave her wonderful, supportive friends.

Today, Shari’s daughter is ready to graduate from high school as an honor student. Shari is remarried and serving God as educational director in her church. She has a special ministry to single mothers who face many of the problems she faced. Because she “has been there,” her life and words carry great weight and encouragement for struggling mothers.

I began this devotional talking about fear. The Lord says: Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. Regardless of your circumstances right now, you are not abandoned, nor are you alone in your situation.

God, who gave Shari peace in her mind and provided for her and her baby, will also take care of you. Please, open your inner ears to hear these personal and powerful words from God, they are just for you – “Do not fear, I will help you.”

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