2013 has been quite the year for tragedies already.
The Boston Marathon bombings.
The explosion in a small Texas town.
A tornado that leveled parts of Oklahoma.
If we focus on the tragedies and the tragedies alone, we’re left with nothing but fear. And anger. And sadness. But mostly — for me, anyway — fear.
Because if THAT can happen THERE, what’s stopping it from happening HERE? To me? To my family? To my friends?
That’s why we cannot focus merely on the tragedies. If we do, we’ll implode with all the grief and terror.
That’s why we have to look to God.
For the answers — even if we don’t understand them.
For comfort — even if it doesn’t necessarily mean it WON’T happen to us, but does mean He can use anything and everything for good.
For security — even if, when we talk about security, we mean something eternal.
I love this song (“You Are”) by Colton Dixon because it reminds me that God is…simply put…everything we need.
And He is bigger than the fear.
Your Turn: Do you battle fear? How do you cast it out?
*Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
Probably the one area I most battle fear is in the area of failure. I think sometimes I'm still in that teenage mindset of "oh, such-and-such will never happen to ME!" as far as tragedies and such. My heart breaks for others, I just don't tend to think bad things will happen to me. BUT…failure is the one area where I can become wrapped up in fear…
Basically, the only way I've really found to battle it is to repeat the truth until I believe it: the truth that God will never leave me to figure things out on my own, he'll never ask me to walk a certain path without walking it with me. And most of all, God is ALWAYS faithful to begin what he's started in me…so if I ever do feel like I'm failing, I can know that's not the end…
My heart breaks for all the tragedies. They seem like a senseless waste, and yet, my faith tells me there is a reason, somehow, someway. There are only two ways I know to battle fear: quoting the promises of God and then believing them. I have to have an anchor amidst the stormy sea. If I don't, I'll be set adrift and will never find my way. The Anchor in my life is Jesus Christ. It's the only way I know how to withstand the storm. I thank God it's the best way. The eternal way.
My heart is heavy over the loss of life in this year's tragedies – both human and animal. A picture of Oklahoma's injured horses on the news last night was just about more than I could take. But thanks to our Savior, we can build our house on His foundation that will never be shaken. I have bookmarked and highlighted Psalm 46:1-3 so often this year: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling." We will not fear.
The minute I feel fear rising up inside me, the minute I start to wonder where God is in the tragedy, I turn my eyes inward, to the Holy Spirit and say, "Ah, there you are. I trust you."
Just reaffirming that God is with me always and reaffirming my trust in Him squashes fear and doubt.
My heart and prayers goes out to those whose lives have been upended.