Our times are troubled times and all of us experience bouts of fear and insecurity. Finding refuge and strength in the words of God will fortify our faith that there is a God Who is in control and He is our only protection.

When You Are Afraid

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

ISAIAH 41:10

Even before 9/11 the whole world was in such a turmoil that people of all nationalities suffered from fear, stress, anxiety, and so on. Everyone seemed focused on security and protective measures for the home and the nation as a whole.

Natural disasters that never occurred before were now happening in the most unlikely places.

Violence and acts of terrorism have taken its toll on an ordinary person's state of mind. Those who have suffered the effects of these tragic events know the meaning of fear and how it is to feel afraid.

Fear should not be dismissed as a childish emotion, a sign of weakness, or a person's inadequacy. Being afraid is a normal reaction to something or someone stronger than us, someone malevolent and vile that could inflict us harm, and that is someone we cannot control. The absence of control raises our alarm signals.

We fear for ourselves and for our families. That is normal because we are social beings with the instinct of self preservation. To admit we are afraid is facing our fears head on and
finding positive ways to deal with it.

Tragedies and trials in life come when we least expect it and when we are least prepared for it. No one goes on vacation expecting a tsunami, does he?
Even a seemingly harmless air balloon ride can end up in a tragic death, or an ordinary school day could turn out into a bloody shooting spree done by a demented student. We do not control the events and even if we tried all the protective measures, we do not know what will happen.

Not knowing and not being able to control things can naturally multiply our fears. So how do we deal with our fears?

First step: Admit you are afraid.
Denial of your fears will only cover it up and "escaping" from it is not the solution.

Second step: Tell God your fears.
When I was left alone (all of a sudden) without any means of financial support for my children, my first emotion was fear. I was afraid of tomorrows because the bills kept coming and hunger was coming with it, and I was afraid of the landlady who threathened us with eviction day after day. It was so overpowering it was eating me up.
The Bible says the Israelites called upon God "when they were in distress" and so did I. What a terrible distress it was, and I turned to God. All my emotions were laid bare before Him and like King Jehoshapat (2 Chronicles 20:12) I prayed "O Lord, we do not know what do to but our eyes are on You."
My personal experience relates how God answered in Isaiah 41:10.

Third Step: Accept God's promised protection and trust His power to keep you whatever happens. People tell me it's hard to trust someone you do not see, and harder still to put your whole life in His hands. "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that HE EXISTS and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Bear in mind that you cannot give your fears to God if you do not believe He exists. My own personal encounter with God did not consist of a "burning bush" experience but of a series of continuous events that manifested His presence in my life. Being afraid, being helpless and in distress, and suffering from rejection and ridicule, were the hinges that turned me to the only Source of strength, protection, and security I ever needed in this life. My God has been Faithful and True and my fears have been turned into songs of hope and joy.

Recently, my nephew whose wife was diagnosed with cancer, asked for prayers regarding their situation. He and his wife had a five-year-old lovely daughter and it was unthinkable for him that God would allow this to happen to them.

The probability of losing someone we love makes everyday a day of fear. I could not do anything except pray for God's comfort and peace upon them, for I know this life is not the end, and God is the God of Comfort. Our lives are in His hands and He knows what is best.

When you feel afraid, put your life in the hands of the God Who will never leave you nor forsake you.