God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
~Psalm 46: 1 – 3
This past year has been a season of Uncertainty, and while this may have caught us off guard, in reality all of life is punctuated by a question mark. Marriage, friendship, career, children, finances, and our health always sit precariously on the ledge of unpredictability.
When faced with Uncertainty, what do we turn to for solace? If we are married, we might attend the latest marriage retreat or read a great title by a relationship expert. In our friendships we can do our best to be intentional in reaching out with a note, a text, or a phone call.
With our careers we may decide to pursue more education or change vocations. As our children move through the high school years toward graduation we can research colleges or training opportunities. We can meet with a financial planner as we look toward retirement and make decisions about how we would like to share our blessings with others.
And then there’s our health… We may diligently schedule all our recommended tests and procedures, make a point of showing up for our yearly physical, and be mindful about our diet and physical activity.
We can do our best to nurture each of these key areas of our lives ~ and that is wise. But only we can decide where we draw the line between prudence and fear. Pastor Rick Warren, who heads Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, shares that God encourages His people “to fear not” 365 times in the Bible ~ one for each day of the year. God never intended for His people to spend their days preoccupied with fear and anxiety.
Warren reminds us that when we form a healthy, intimate relationship with God we begin to more fully comprehend His grace and mercy. And… when we claim this truth, we come to realize there is no real need for fear. Does this mean we will never experience fear? No it does not. Instead, it means we turn to a Who rather than a What for comfort.
People can allow fear to control their lives, thus missing out on important opportunities. Instead, Christians must work through their faith and relationship with God to take away fear’s control over them. ~Rick Warren
The reality is ~ Uncertainty is certain, but if we have a relationship with Jesus Christ we are able to release our fear to Him daily ~ sometimes hourly. An added bonus along the way is that often in our most unpredictable seasons, there is a tender intimacy between ourselves and our Redeemer.