Dealing With Worry and Fear Biblically

On Monday around 2pm, I sat reading Max Lucado's book that is about to be released in September titled "Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear." A prideful thought went through my head at one point -"I'm not really a very fearful person. In the business world - my husband is a risk taker and I take it with ease. I've moved to multiple new cities and churches with ease. And I live and grocery shop in a city with a high rate of crime and I hardly look over my shoulder." (There is only one thing I am dreadfully afraid of and that's big dogs - but that's a blog for another day!!!!)

So in my pride, I thought - this book doesn't REALLY apply to me... TWO hours later God humbled me. Around 4pm my son came running into my office with his sister yelling - "She swallowed a magnetix." "WHAT?" I exclaimed - Lexi's face was red and she was sobbing as she admitted that she had the silver ball in her mouth and accidentally swallowed it. (If you are aware of the magnetix toys - there are warnings on the box - which I have read to the children - swallowing them is dangerous due to the magnetic factor of the toy. Swallowing one does no harm - but two can stick together through the lining of your intestine causing blockage - which could be fatal!)

FEAR ran through every vein in my body - I called my Dr. who said - head straight to the ER for an X-ray. On the drive there, I fought back tears - the what if's flooded my mind... (What if she swallowed two? What if they have to do surgery? What if my husband can't make it home in time?)

As parents we can do it all - protect, pray- keep bad men at bay and STILL find ourselves in the ER! Often we look for God in our devotional times and worship times - but strangely enough I find his presence most real in the midst of a storm.

In Matthew 14:22-33 - Peter found himself in the midst of a raging storm out on a boat. Peter looked out into the water and exclaimed "A Ghost" - he did not expect to see Jesus standing there and Jesus said "Do not be afraid. Take courage - I am here." Courageously - Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water!!!! With his eyes on Jesus, he exchanged his fear for faith...but then...he saw the wind and waves and bam! He began to sink like a rock!

When we focus on our fears - we will sink - but when we focus on Christ - we find courage to have hope in the midst of horror and trust in the midst of tragedy. Like a child who sees his parents sitting on the bleachers as he plays a game - the presence of the parent gives him peace.

That day in the ER - I sat alone with the two kids, my husband was out of town, but the presence of God was with me. It's in those moments that we are more keenly aware of God's presence. The Dr. did an X-ray and confirmed - yep - there was a little silver ball in her belly - JUST ONE! Praise the Lord!

Will you trust God in the midst of your storm today? What worries do you have? When it comes to our children - God can bring even the greatest warrior to his knees. Turn your worry into prayer. Prayer moves the hands that calm a raging storm. Worry accomplishes nothing - absolutely nothing! Fear not - God is with you.

Walk with the King!

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