Facing Fear

Recently, I have become quite shocked to see how fear has overtaken Christians.  Now, just days ago, I was speaking to a young man about his fear as he rubbed his marijuana in the middle of his hand.  He acknowledged that he was paranoid as he anxiously eyed the foreigners who walked with me because he was fearful of the coronavirus like so many have become.  I cautioned him about the use of the drug bringing on paranoia, but he felt being paranoid was quite acceptable because of the worldwide pandemic. I have found that Christians have no less trepidation about the disease than this young man who uses a mind altering drug.  Lately, I have a greater understanding of 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV), which states for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  I have encountered many Christians who have irrational thoughts about not only coronavirus, but many other things like the fear of lizards. I know many big strong Jamaican Christian men who are scared of lizards.  They would never sleep in a room, if they knew that a croco lizard was in it.  I must admit that I was overcome by the fear of this type of lizard also, but then I have discovered that this is a learned behavior, so, I had to unlearn it and now, I will not go petting the lizard, but I will have sweet sleep with it in the room as long as it doesn’t try to be my bedmate.

I have other fears, though, like driving on Jamaican roads with mini-van drivers and route taxis, who fearlessly maneuver the roadways, illegally driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic daring other drivers to quickly move over to the sidewalk in order to avoid an accident.  This is too much for me sometimes and I believe that God hasn’t given me a car because He knew that I just couldn’t handle driving these thoroughfears, oh sorry, I meant thoroughfares.  But, over this past weekend as I examined the foreboding of so many of us Christians, I recognized we were not walking in faith and we cannot keep on masking fear with the disguise of wisdom.  The fact is, we are afraid of a lot of things that’s why I do not have many Christians wanting to help me in volatile inner-city communities.  The Lord is not only speaking to Joshua, but He is proclaiming to us, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NASB).  Without a doubt, God is with me, even on the scary Jamaican roads, therefore, I can drive boldly.  So, bring on the car God!!! And Jesus, You take the wheel.

Knowing that I am a more than a conqueror through Christ, who loves me, I can fearlessly face my fears of marriage, success and rats.  Okay, maybe not rats right now.  This is a process and I am not quite there yet, but it is sinking into my heart and mind that there is no fear in love. Therefore, I must be immersed in the love of God, so that His love will drive out all fear.  And, I in turn can drive out courageously on Jamaican roads.

I will confidently say I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 (NASB).  I will keep my eyes focused on Him, though the winds of change may blow fiercely and storms may stir up.  I can confront the unknown as I stand firm on the solid Rock, knowing that the LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NASB)

If the Lord is your rock, why should you fear?