Four Reminders Amid Fear and Uncertainty
We live in uncertain and unpredictable times. We know living in a fallen world means this is always true, but there are times when we are able to perceive it even more clearly. Right now is one of those times.
Things that were so predictable and certain, like having a church service on Sunday morning or watching live sports on TV, are now canceled. The coronavirus has changed everyday life all across the world, and we’re still uncertain what the coming weeks will look like.
Although this situation is unique, the fear we feel is nothing new. All of us have experienced fear, from children who are afraid of the dark to adults who are afraid of death. Perhaps that's why “fear not” is one of the most repeated commands in Scripture.
Why are we told not to fear? Aren't there times in our life when we should be afraid?
MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD
Consider Psalm 27:1–3:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.”
I don't know about you, but if an army was encamped around me and was seeking to kill me, I think I'd be afraid! Even the most valiant warriors couldn't fight off a whole army. Why would David say his heart “shall not fear”?
Because David knows the abilities of the One protecting him. He knows that the Lord of the universe is with him. As he says in Psalm 23:4, “ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
There's no force more powerful than God himself. From the largest galaxy to the smallest bacteria, our Almighty Creator spoke everything into existence. If this powerful Creator is the salvation and stronghold for his people, then there's nothing we need to fear, except God himself (Matt. 10:28).
Even though we know God is our protection, we still struggle with fear. Here are four things to remember when you are struck by fear.
REMEMBER GOD'S PROMISES
Had the Israelites remembered God's promise to give them the land, they wouldn’t have feared the giants (Num. 14). They would have heeded Joshua's words: "If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us...do not fear the people of the land . . . their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them" (vv. 8–9). However, they—like us—forgot God's promise and gave in to their fears.
God has promised New Covenant believers that he will never leave nor forsake us. He has promised us his protection. We need not fear since his presence is with us, even while walking in the valley of the shadow of death. We can trust in the promise of his presence even when the situation looks bleak.
REMEMBER GOD'S POWER
Anyone can make empty promises, but God has the power to keep his. God is the most powerful force in existence, and if you are a believer, he is for you (Rom. 8:31). And if he is for us, who can stand against us?
Throughout Scripture, we see God's people facing impossible odds. Whether it be the Israelites against the powerful Egyptians (Ex. 14:13), the giants in the land (Num. 13), or the Assyrians (2 Chr. 32:7–8), God tells them not to fear. He doesn’t always tell them how he’s going to provide; he simply tells them to trust and obey.
REMEMBER YOU ARE WEAK
I don't have much hope if an army is encamped around me and I look to my strength and abilities. I’m not strong, but in my weakness God’s strength is made perfect. If I compare myself to my foes, I'll likely give in to discouragement and fear. But as I recognize my weakness, I am propelled towards Christ.
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:9–10).
REMEMBER TO WALK BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT
In 2 Kings 6, Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the Syrian army. The servant was understandably afraid, but Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened. The Lord opened the servant's eyes and he saw the "mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (v. 17). The Lord then delivered the entire Syrian army into Elisha's hands.
When our enemies around us, we may not be able to see how God is going to help us. But we can trust that the unseen provision of the Lord surrounds those who are his. We can trust that he's working out his plan for his glory and our good. Sometimes he works through ordinary means, like in the book of Esther. Other times he works in strange ways, like telling the Israelites to march around Jericho and blow trumpets.
OUR HOPE IS STRONGER THAN A PANDEMIC
In the midst of uncertainty, "fear not" doesn't mean we don't take precautions, use common sense, or listen to the authorities. We can be still careful and take steps to love our neighbor, yet we can do so without panic. Our peace during this time of chaos can be a reflection of Philippians 4:5–7 to those around us:
”Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
We have hope even when facing a pandemic. During these chaotic and uncertain circumstances, people should see in us a peace that passes all understanding. Instead of God's people operating in panic mode, we should show the world a people guided by wisdom, love, and hope.
Let’s resolve to wait on the Lord. The same God who delivered his people from the powerful Egyptian army dwells in us. Let’s trust in his words in scripture: "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" (Is. 41:10).
Not even the coronavirus lies outside his sovereign control. Perhaps it's amid such uncertainty that he plans to shine the light of his glory through his people the brightest.
James Williams serves as Associate Pastor at FBC Atlanta, TX and as a GCD staff writer. He and his wife, Jenny, are blessed with four children and are actively involved in foster care. He is passionate about beholding the beauty of our Lord and helping others do the same. He enjoys writing, running, and gardening. You can follow James Twitter or his blog where he writes regularly.