What do you fear?
Every other week, we host a Bible study for teens that my husband Joe teaches. We tried it last week via video for the first time. It was interesting and will take some getting used to, but it worked. He talked about the virus and how we can respond to it. One of the girls asked a great question: Is it wrong to be afraid?
In one sense, fear is a very normal and necessary part of life. Would you walk in front of a train or bus? No! Why? Because you’re afraid it would kill you. If you say that you trust God and don’t fear anything, so you’re going to step in front of the train, you’re not some amazing saint. You’re, um, unwise, to put it nicely. That type of fear is hard-wired into us by God in order to keep us alive. We drive on the correct side of the road, we turn off the stove burner before we leave the house, and we teach our kids to look both ways when they cross the street - in a sense, out of fear in order to protect ourselves. That type of fear isn’t wrong- it’s wise.
So yes, wash your hands, stay 6 feet away from people, do all those things that we’re being told to do to protect ourselves from the virus. That’s just being wise.
On the other hand, God told the Israelites over and over NOT to fear because He was with them. When fear and anxiety go beyond the basics of self-preservation is when it’s not healthy. Especially when it’s with things that are out of our control. We need to do what we can to keep ourselves safe, but then leave the rest in God’s hands.
One of my favorite verses is in Isaiah 8:12-14a.
“Do not call conspiracy
everything this people calls a conspiracy;
do not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.
The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread.
He will be a holy place;”
God is the only one we are to truly fear – not a virus, not a recession or crashing stock market, none of that. Fear God.
The idea of fearing God rubs a lot of people the wrong way. Aren’t we suppose to see God as our friend, our companion who loves us and cares for us? Yes, but He’s also the Holy God, Creator if the Universe. He IS our perfect Heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us.
But He’s not safe.
And yet He’s good.
The Bible says that we can boldly approach Him because of Jesus’ death on the cross. We don’t need to be scared of Him, but we should fear Him.
I always think about it in terms of my kids and husband. I ask my kids, “Are you scared of your father?” No! He’s fun, and loves them and he’s great. They know they can talk to him about anything. “But would you disrespect him or disobey him?” No way! There’s some healthy fear of doing wrong. That should be our relationship with God. We’re not scared of Him, but we have a healthy fear of doing wrong because He is holy and perfect and just.
So what about our current situation? Do what you can in wisdom to protect yourself. But after that, don’t be anxious and fearful. If you know Jesus as your Savior, your life is in His hands. Even when you die, now or later, you can be confident that you’ll be with Him. He loves you and He holds your present and your future.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So let’s keep the big picture in mind. And if you don’t know Him or if you’re not sure, talk to me!!! You can also check out Religion or Relationship to find out more.