Fearful

I know it’s easy to say—Do not be anxious about anything…. You know the verse well. Some of you memorized it as a child. You know the verse is true. You have experienced God’s peace. But today is different.

The opportunities were few and far between. I had just graduated from seminary, and many applications had been sent out, but few churches responded, and those who did were not interested. I was trying to wait patiently…but I was discouraged. In the meantime, I was painting for a man named Pancho, who owned several apartment complexes in the Dallas area. He kept asking me if I had found a church opportunity. One day, he said, “I guess God needs painters more than preachers.” He said it in jest, but it hit hard.

God’s presence with us is one of the most powerful experiences of our lives. It gives us comfort when we are down, courage when we are fearful, and confidence when we doubt. And…let’s be honest. There are times in our humanness that we want to get away from God. We desire to run far from him. We want to do something we know he would not approve of. God’s presence is powerful…and…sometimes we want to be left alone. We seek God’s companionship…on our terms. I believe this is what David is getting at in Psalm 139:11-12.

Jesus — the Good Shepherd — laid down his life for you. He loves you with eternal love.

The mind stayed on God trusts him.

He alone fills our fearful and unsettled hearts with peace and joy.

God carries us close to his heart with his strong everlasting arms.

If you are reading this with a fearful heart, He is inviting you to trust Him even as the winds of fear howl around you. He is inviting you to a place of rest and peace.