FEAR NOT
By Glenda Ward
McDowell County
“Fear Not!” The angel of the Lord spoke these words to Zachariah, to Mary and Joseph, and a group of shepherds on a hillside near Bethlehem.
During this Christmas Season, the entire world is caught up in a pandemic as we have never seen before. Fear grips us in ways of paralyzing our thinking including nationwide panic as we all face the unknown and uncertainty of life as we know it. We can see the fear in people’s eyes. Fear and worry capture our hearts as we see ourselves caught up in a whirlwind of circumstance that is beyond our control. People are losing their jobs and homes. Factories and businesses are closing. Food costs, building materials, and living supply expenses are rising beyond comprehension. Daily necessities are becoming scarce and hard to get. Families are losing loved ones to this virus amid the pandemic that is causing all this fear throughout the world. Fear drives us into a downward spiral. The entire world is caught in the grip of fear – fear of the unknown.
Therefore, let it be known that a nation that has feared for itself constitutes a large part of the problems they face. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear Not! For I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God.” In Matthew 6:25-34 read and study the meaning of this scripture. Know that “For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.”
“Sufficient unto this day is the evil thereof;” trouble, adversity, and misfortune. Our circumstances of today should make people everywhere realize that there is a God, One True God, and He is in control of all that happens upon this universe. It should bring everyone’s attention to the realization that there is a God and He is REAL! He is in control of what happens with the situation our world is in today. Jesus pointed out a list of commonsense reasons for us not to be in fear and worry. We are to seek out God, keep an open mind, and follow where He leads, taking one day at a time. Current circumstances are forcing those who know Jesus to lean on Him – trusting Him more than ever before. Having faith doesn’t mean doing nothing, but rather prayerfully doing what we can today and recognize what we cannot do. When we let go, don’t worry – trust God, and be obedient to Him life becomes far more serene. Underlying all the reasons we shouldn’t worry in fear…is simply Trust in Jesus.
This Christmas season is no different than that “First Christmas.” On that first Christmas, the world was in desperate times too. Today we should all do as Mary did all those years ago; recall an echo of the words of God’s Angel to her, “Do not be afraid.” Our fears should turn to joy as we look and celebrate this Christmas Season with immediate family.
Our world is gripped by fear. People think that Christmas is about gifts under a tree and a spirit of good cheer, with Christmas dinner, and family and friends around the table. But all this isn’t nearly as good as the real reason we celebrate Christmas. JESUS IS THE REASON!
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ – the Messiah – a Savior for you and me; to save us from our sins and to help in this life to lift our burdens and ease our fears. Think about it…God uses situations to teach us priceless lessons about Him, His provision, His sufficiency, and His faithfulness. Don’t you think God just may be trying to get the attention of all those who have forgotten Who He is and what Christmas and the birth of the world’s Messiah is all about? Maybe, just maybe, God is limiting family gatherings this year with the Corona Virus for immediate families to be together and refocus on the meaning of the Christmas Season and put Christ, our Lord, and Savior in the center of their life.
As we learn to stay in the present day, entrusting uncertainties to our faithfulness in Jesus Christ – believing in Him and the Cross of Calvary; identify healing Scriptures in the Bible. Quote them daily and pray to God – the Great Physician for healing from pain, illness, and suffering. Read Matthew 11:16. This is saying for someone who lacks conviction they are easily swayed by public opinion – unbelievers. In His day Jesus portrayed His unbelieving contemporaries as spoiled children who whined when they did not get their way. Isn’t this exactly what is happening in our world today with all the negative reports in the media, in demonstrations, and rioting? Read and think about what Jesus said in John chapter 10: verses 25-30.
Again, God uses situations to teach us priceless lessons, to get our attention, and most importantly to get the attention of all those unbelievers who reject Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. What is happening in this world today are things No One can prevent.
IT IS GOD WHO IS IN CONTROL OF OUR WORLD!
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Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County. She is the mother of five grown children. Glenda is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She writes Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. Also testing the field in tributes, individual memorial writings, etc. You can read more good Christian news from Glenda HERE.
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