No Fear

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Fear is a powerful emotion. It robs us of our security while keeping us tied down, incapable of moving forward.

Lots of things instill fear: death, rejection, the unknown – to name a few. As humans, we long to control our circumstances. Anything that moves us to a state where we can no longer control our happiness, security, or future can be frightening.

But what happens when we’re afraid? Fear causes us to take our eyes off of Christ – the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Faith is the polar opposite of fear. One cannot exist in the presence of the other. 

In the past month, I’ve faced countless frightening situations.

To begin, my mother and I recently took our sixth annual European adventure together. Note that I called this an “adventure” rather than a vacation. Our trips are often fraught with stress and anxiety, as we are two women traveling alone in a foreign country. While I plan, prodigiously, the unexpected always happens. I now call these our Fully Relying On God (F.R.O.G.) trips as a result. Get the picture?

This year’s trip took us to Scotland, where I immediately had to learn how to drive on the left-hand side of the road, while seated on the right side of the rental car, on narrow lanes, with no shoulders.

While traveling, we became lost while locating six out of ten apartments where we were staying – in an unfamiliar land, with little guidance, while driving in different road conditions than I was used to – oftentimes, in the rain.

Shortly after arrival, I learned that my cat was gravely ill and would have died, had it not been for the quick thinking of my pet-sitter.

I misplaced my credit card, twice, while traveling, finally losing it, altogether – not knowing how I’d move forward without it.

While in Europe, I kept apprised of Hurricane Dorian’s decimation of the Bahamas, with dire meteorologist predictions of its path moving steadily closer to my home. Can you feel the tension mounting?

But wait! There’s more.

When I returned to the U.S., I was informed of the death of my best friend from his surviving widow. I had last heard from him via text, just a few days before my flight home.

Two days later, I learned that my employer would soon be proceeding with permanent layoffs.

A week after the work announcement, a dear friend called to tell me of the death of her precious companion cat.

Two days later, another close friend disclosed her cancer prognosis over an after-work dinner, together.

I had every reason to be fearful of and about all of the above things – the gut-wrenching loss of a loved one, daily work insecurity and stress, the anxiety of an unknown future with a frightening prognosis.

Fear is always present; yet, I choose not to be afraid.

Don’t get me wrong. I was terrified when I first experienced all of the above things.

But then I surrendered my fear to God. I made a conscious choice to give these fear-laden burdens to the only One who controls them, anyway. As scripture reminded me, God did not give me the spirit of fear. 

If and when God chooses to take any of the things I hold dear, I know He will give me the tools to work through them – as He has in the past, and as He is now. I trust God, completely, and give Him praise for everything He’s already done for me.

Living by faith means one must let go of fear. I choose to surrender my yesterday, today, and tomorrow to God. This is the secret to living fearlessly: in the arms of our Creator, there is no fear.

Fear not, beloved. God is with you.

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