Fear has gripped the world. And this is nothing new. It has always been this way, thus the readings for today.
“Take heart, it is I. Have no fear.” Jesus says.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love”, writes St. John.
Fear has gripped the world. It always has. And it is true today.
So many developments are happening where people are afraid. Millions live in fear every day, fear that they will not make it to the next, or even through the night. I can’t even comprehend that level of fear.
Others are heading into battle, or are already at war. Terrorized, persecuted, in extreme danger. This is prevalent today.
And many of us are paralyzed with fear. We’re paralyzed with fear of what might come to pass – fearful to the extent that we fail to live. This is what the devil wants. And so many of us fall into this trap.
Yes, there are dangers and uncertainties in the world today, just as there always has been. It’s easy for me to sit here in the comfort of my warm, cozy living room and tell people around the world to not be afraid, and to simply have faith, and that God will provide.
But the dangers are real. And they affect all of us in some way – everywhere. Every day. No one is safe, and extremism, hate, insanity and the events of life and death can hit any one of us, at any time. This is the stark reality, this is life.
It could be terrorism – physical or cyber. It can be economic depressions and environmental disasters. It can be racial crimes, and it can be a distraught person, in a public place, with a gun. It could be crossing the street.
Does this mean we don’t leave our homes? Does this mean we sit and cower in a corner, like a scared animal?
Do we let fear grip us in this way, where we are so anxious and nervous and scared about what might happen, that we fail to be in awe of what is before us?
Jesus multiplied the five loaves of bread and the two fish and with that fed 5000 people. And then after seeing that, the disciples were out on the sea, and were terrified and astounded when they saw Jesus walking on the water and calm the storm.
And then here is the verse that confounds me the most – On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.
Even after seeing the miracles and the power of God in their midst, their hearts were hardened. In their awe of the power of God through His Son Jesus Christ – they failed to see the awe. With that power before them, they only saw fear. How does that happen?
And think about back when God lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and all the miracles and amazing things they witnessed, none less that then parting of the Red Sea. Yet when things got really tough, they let fear set in and lose their faith in God from time to time, and would question Him, forgetting what they witnessed and lived through. They failed to see the awe of God, His greatness, and were filled with fear.
In these times where God was literally present, where they witnessed His miracles – people were still consumed by fear.
How are we to make it in world with such great dangers and where God doesn’t seem to be physically present as He was with the Israelites and the disciples?
How do we keep from hardening our hearts? Because, that is what happens when you are filled with fear. You worry so much about what might happen, or fear what is happening while not hoping in God and for His grace that you put up a wall of fear. Fear is not faith.
We fear. We are not in fear of the Lord.
In my times of sorrow and pain, the one thing that has gotten me through – above and beyond all else – is a hope in God and a faith that He will, at some point, provide – and an awe in what He has done.
And I don’t care what walk of life I am in, or what sorrow or pain I am facing, or what uncertainty I face in the future – where I ultimately turn first and foremost before anything else is a hope and faith in Christ.
I first learned this from my Mom as I witnessed her handle the death of my brother, her son. I know deep down this was all she had, and that He would get her through. I saw this in her eyes.
And in the depression and anxiety and uncertainty I have faced in recent years in various aspects of life – this was all I had. My hope and faith in Christ, that He would provide and get me through.
Even in the depths of pain, sadness, and despair – hope and faith warms my heart. I yearn for His awe and greatness.
In the depths of fear, the heart is hardened. It grips us. It doesn’t let go.
Whatever it is your turmoil – these are the two paths to choose from. Two paths of fear.
Fear as in punishment, or fear as in the love and awe of God?
Beatus vir qui timet Dominum.
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord.
Psalm 112:1
