Absolutely Alive: Fear not - 24 July 2024

Fear is something that can grip anyone’s heart at any age, but for a young child who hasn’t yet learnt to reason, irrational fear is the order of the day. As a young child, I can remember being afraid of the dark, of what was lurking under my bed (with me in it) and the strange shapes of the coats hanging on the back of the door.

My mother, who had a song for everything, apparently taking my fears lightly, taught me a little song from the film, “The King and I”, about “whistling a happy tune” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGS029Peq7k) so that no-one would know that I was afraid. It had a cheerful tune which was delightfully distracting to a young child, but it couldn’t help with more serious fears in later years!

The consternation that I felt about our flight back home from the UK this year, soon after seeing the horrifying visual footage of the Singapore flight that dropped six thousand feet, was real. It’d been aired on the BBC News and brought back everything I’d ever feared about flying before my first trip, ever, many years ago. But I didn’t want to admit it to myself. I always pray about our journeys and thought that I would feel better about it closer to the flight, so ‘forgot’ about it.

But God knew.

As the time drew nearer, I recognised that I was still not quite peaceful, but knew I had to fly to get home. Then, from about two weeks before we had to leave, verses and prayers, that I often receive from friends (who knew nothing of this) started to take on a different theme: for trust, strength and peace.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV) Then came the Aaronic Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26) and more prayers for peace. “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:12, NIV); “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8a) Then came a prayer for “a hedge of protection”; “May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him …” (Romans 15:13 NIV) “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29b) I even received an old song: “God will take care of you”. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow …” (Matthew 6:34) and more.

These were all things I know and believe, but the Enemy so often attacks when we’re weak, tired, under pressure, or faced with a daunting task, and aren’t able to spend enough time with our Lord, which we need. For me, in reminding me almost daily that he knew, it was as though he’d sent an angel who said, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

May his Word dispel your fears too! “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NIV) “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I am the one who helps you.’” (Isaiah 41:13)

Prayer: Our Father, only you are able to bring us peace through your Word in daunting times, and dispel all our fears, as we trust in your unfailing love. Thank you! Amen