Fear is not a four letter word

So, I was driving down our street the other day and on the side of the road was a lady trying to hitch a ride with a passerby. It was rather hot and she was wearing jeans and a tank top. Her thumb reached for the sky as her face looked discouraged with each car that passed. My heart told me to stop. It was hot and she obviously needed help to get wherever it was she was headed. My heart wanted to pull the car over, swing the door open, and with a great big smile welcome her into my air conditioned car. After all, isn't that what Jesus would do?

My rational mind, on the other hand, told me to continue driving. I did not know her. I did not know her intentions. And I had my little girl in the back seat and as a mother it is my job to protect her. So, I drove past and watched as yet another look of disappointment melted across her face. I took the next few moments to lift her up in prayer, asking God to watch over her and help her arrive at her destination safely.

After I was finished praying, I began to think about the whole situation. Frustration formed in my mind because I could not help her. We live in a world today that in order to keep ourselves safe, we must at times turn our backs on those who may need us the most. And for that my heart weeps.

The next thought, or rather word, that entered my mind was fear. I did not stop because of the fear of what could happen. Fear. Such a small word can become so powerful. How many of us let fear control our lives? It may be small things, such as a fear of flying or a fear of heights. So we drive when taking vacations or stay out of tall buildings. Though there are larger fears that many people face as well, such as a fear of dying or a fear of losing someone we love, a fear of failure or a fear of rejection. These fears seem to seep under our skin and begin to take root in our veins, blocking our life flow to our soul.

For almost all my life, I have been terrified of being dead. Until a few years ago, I could not even think about anything to do with death. And so, giving way to my fear, I simply avoided such topics. Yet if I could not think about being dead, I could not think about heaven. I could not participate in that relational aspect with my God. My fear was literally blocking me from moving forward in communion with God. Today, I still struggle with my fear, but it does not control my thoughts. My longing for heaven has grown as has my relationship with my eternal God.

This is only one of many fears that at times have tightened their grip on my heart and soul. Yet over time I have learned not avoid my fears. I am afraid. There are many things in life that I am afraid of. Some big, some small. All normal. I am human. Fear comes with the territory. As long as there is an unknown, there will be fear. But I have learned that fear can actually be an opening for growth beyond my imagination. My fears force me to turn to my all-knowing God and let him lead me. Fears can be wonderful lessons. My fears call me to trust God beyond my human capabilities. I must trust that He is always with me, leading me, protecting me. That He has a plan which I may not know. They call me to let go of my human weaknesses and surrender everything that I fear to God: my failures, rejections, sorrows, relapses, etc. From my fears can come an abundance of courage. Taking steps out of my comfort zone, doing things once foreign or unimaginable to me. From my fears can arise a strength I did not know I possess. Imagine the things I can accomplish if I can set my fears aside and try.

So I thank God for my fears and for the many ways they will bring us closer together. I pray my fears continue to become a place of growth and not of burden. And I pray for that lady I saw the other day. May she know the love that her heavenly Father has for her.



Question to ponder: How do your fears enrich your life?