When you think about the state of the world we are living in today, do you find yourself grappling with fear, anxiety and worry? From the climate crisis to food shortages, from disease outbreak to outrageous gas prices, from violence to moral decay….it sometimes appears as though everything is falling apart at the seams! I look back just a few years ago and it feels as though things are only getting worse. That’s when the fear starts to set in, bringing with it panic. How am I supposed to protect my babies who are growing up at such a time as this? How do I keep their minds pure, their morals righteous and their bodies safe when all sorts of images and ideas are fighting for their attention on social media, on the screens, new trends and everywhere in between. How am I supposed to keep them safe from it all?
The short answer? I am not. The reason I tend to fret is because I try to do a job that is way above my pay grade. It is not my job to save my children from all the dangers and evils out there. That’s God’s job. That’s why we call Him SAVIOR, and I’m so glad He is. God is all powerful, I’m not. God is everywhere all the time, I’m not. Clearly, He is more qualified than I am to keep my children safe and not just that but to prosper them too. Jeremiah.29:11 For I alone know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.
That’s not to say I don’t have a part to play in all of this because I do. My job is to choose faith over fear. Trust in God over panic, despair and hopelessness. To place my family in God’s capable hands so He can guide, protect, save, keep and prosper us, just like He promised He would do for all who trust in Him. My role is to lead my children to God so they can have a personal relationship with Him and learn to trust and follow Him for themselves. My role is to guide them to a life of faith in Jesus. And how does faith come? The Bible says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans.10:17) The more of God’s Word that is in me, the more my faith and trust in Him grows. The more I read the Bible, the more examples I see of God at work, saving those that put their trust in Him from what seemed to be impossible situations, the more my faith grows and fear diminishes. As faith increases, fear decreases.
Now if I’m being honest there are many days I barely have time to take a bath let alone have some nice long quiet time to read and meditate on God’s Word. That’s where my trusted audio Bible comes in to save the day. Thank God for technology. It’s not all bad you know. I play the audio Bible off YouTube as I cook and clean. I even play it in the car sometimes and it is amazing. The Word of God truly is food for the soul and I’m grateful for the opportunity to expose my children to it by any means possible. Their favorite book to listen to right now is Esther and they can listen to it on a loop!
Remember the Sunday school song that goes: “why worry, when you can pray? Trust Jesus, He knows the way.”
Another thing I’m learning to do is to pray through the fear. When worry sets in, pray. When anxiety tags at the heart, pray. When gripped with fear, pray. There is something so healing and freeing about talking to your Heavenly Father in prayer. Knowing that He not only hears you when you pray but He also answers with His peace and loving kindness.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians.4:6-7.
When you pray, God gives you His peace which guards your heart and mind from fear, worry and despair. That is a trade I’m willing to make. Trading in fear for God’s peace. Trading in worry for God’s peace and protection.
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. Isaiah.41:10
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