Afraid

I am generally not a fearful person. There are things that startle me or scare me. I work hard at overcoming fear as often as I can. I think it was Zig Ziglar that said, “F.E.A.R. stands for false evidence appearing real.”  Fear is a part of my emotional make up just like happiness and joy. It seems to get way more attention because it has a dark, negative side to it.

I can only imagine the fear and uncertainty felt by Jesus’ followers when He was betrayed by one of them, convicted at a mock trial, and then crucified by the Romans. This happened in a matter of a few hours. Even though Jesus had been talking about it, they didn’t quite understand it. I imagine they were afraid they would be next. Things are about to change for the better. Check this out…

⁷ And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

⁸ The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. ⁹ And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” (Matthew 28:7-10 NLT)

Jesus is Who He says He is. He is with us. He calms my fear. He is with me even when I’m afraid. He is with me in the unknown situations. “As they went…” Jesus is with me as I go. I am never in a place where He is not with me. I have been places where I didn’t notice His Presence.  I can stare fear in the face with the deep joy that I have knowing that the Presence of God is with me wherever I go or wherever I am.  That is His promise – I didn’t just make that up.  The promise of His Presence overshadows any fear that I face. I’m reminded again that “I’m in the land of the dying, preparing for the land of the living”.

Pressing On!

Dwayne