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My creative, humorous, fifth grade student was the daughter of two blind parents who had just brought in an unsuspecting Aunt to help. Taking advantage of a sighted person to share her life with she wasted no time. When dinner came around, it was the aunt who reached into the freezer for ice cubes. The whole room startled at the sound of her scream. Little Miss had filled the ice trays with what appeared to be real spiders, and her aunts greatest fear!
Spiders, heights, snakes, flying, feeling trapped, public speaking, do any of those evoke a shudder through your body? If so, you’re among good company as Americans share in those common fears. We are a fearful people.
I was barely 12 when my grandfather died and though I didn’t know it then, it would be just the beginning of so many losses that would come steadily along life’s journey. As an adult I have to realize death is an expected part of this fallen world, but it never gets easier.
Maybe because the pain is so great, maybe because I’m flesh and bones, or maybe because the evil one knows my soft point, but I sure do fear losing my family. The fear is understandable at first glance, however most often my fears are contrived in my own imagination. They interrupt a quiet moment, a peaceful sleep, a dinner out, a laughter filled celebration and private conversations of which they have no interest. They steal joy. They crush hope. They lie. Yet my thoughts so easily beset right where they linger. I don’t think I’m alone there, am I?
Thank the Lord none of us have to make peace with our fears, real or imagined. No, we can be delivered from them, all of them, every single one. Then, peace overflows where fears once pervaded.
Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Oh, God, You are ever so loving and powerful. I come to You and ask for You to be near to me. I need You. Lord, forgive my wandering mind and fill my thoughts with Yours. Lord, deliver me from all my fears and return to me the joy of my salvation. I am Yours, Lord, fill me and love me, use me to share your goodness with all around me. Overflow from my heart the truth of Your salvation. Amen
