Fear & Trust

When I am afraid, I will trust in You. Ps 56:3

My daughter came in my room several times during the night last night because she was having nightmares. My heart went out to her because I struggle with nightmares sometimes as well. The first couple of times she came in our room my husband took her back upstairs, snuggled with her for a while and then came back to bed. The third time she came, I started to wonder what was up. I told her that we should pray. I told her that God is always with her and that He is there to protect her, that nothing can hurt her. She said in her little innocent voice, “Mommy, sometimes I just forget about God.” I told her that it was ok, that He never forgets about her and she went back to her bed and slept soundly for the rest of the night. Praise the Lord! 

This morning, when I woke up, her words played over in my head. Sometimes, I also forget about God and that is when my fears and anxiety overtake me. Like everyone else, I sometimes have swirling fears. Are my kids going to be ok? Are they going to get sick or worse? Will my daughter get a good kindergarten teacher? What if my husband dies and I am left alone? Or I struggle with fears about myself...Will I be able to sing on Sunday or will I forget all the words and look like a failure? What if I attempt to do what God has called me to do...Will people mock me? Will I look like I am trying to show off?  

The sermon at my church on Sunday was about fear. Our pastor said fear is a normal part of life. The verse above says, “When I am afraid” not “If I become afraid." Everyone experiences fear; it is what we do with the fear that is important. When I go all day and allow negative thoughts and fear to swirl around in my head that I feel like my daughter did last night, helpless and afraid but God in His word promises me so much more. He says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 He tells me to be “strong and courageous” instead of “discouraged and afraid” because He is with me wherever I go. (Joshua 1:9) 

It’s my choice, where I decide to “fix my mind” today. I want to do what Isaiah 26:8 says with my fears. I want to keep my mind fixed on God, choosing to trust Him and live in that perfect peace today. I want to acknowledge that: He is the giver of all good things (James 1:17) He is Sovereign, in control, and even if every single one of the fears listed above came true; He would still be good (Job 1:21) and would have a plan in mind to use it all for my good and His glory. (Romans 8:28) I want to choose today to trust God will give me the grace I need in abundance for every good work to which He has called me. 2 Corinthians 9:8

What do you fear? What truth can you use to combat that fear?