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Fear Not?

Fear Not?

It doesn’t take a pandemic to create fear, but it most certainly fuels it. 

There seems to be an abundance of fear these days.  One might conclude that it is even more contagious than Covid-19.

Nosophobia is rampant, and thanatophobia is common as well (fear of getting sick and fear of death).  Both of those phobias contribute mightily to agoraphobia and anthropophobia (fear of leaving the house and fear of people), and definitely to enochlophobia (fear of crowds).

Ergophobia is also raising its ugly head (fear of losing a job), and even peniaphobia is making an appearance (fear of poverty) … both of which feed chronophobia (fear of the future.)  This abundance of fear leads to the ultimate fear of all – fear of uncertainty.  (Simply called “anxiety.”)

Fearmongering seems to be the trend … the media feeding out phobias and the people eating them up.  Even some Christians are nibbling on that entrée.

The astute reader will recognize that there is a technical difference between fear and phobia.  Fear is a reaction to an actual danger, while a phobia is an excessive and irrational reaction when no real danger is present.

I am not suggesting that people are reacting irrationally in this pandemic.  (Well, maybe just a little?)  There are certainly very real concerns out there.  Being prudent and careful is the correct approach.  Still, there is no reason for phobias or fear … rational or irrational … in God’s people.

A person could be radically exposed to the virus; someone could be surrounded by the sick and breathe in the bug repeatedly … and they will only become ill if God allows it!  That’s a fact. 

The doctors will tell you that the disease is highly contagious … and I don’t doubt it.  But the Lord isn’t locked into doctors’ dictates.  God our Father will do what he knows is best for his children.  He always does.

Now I am not advocating a fatalistic or cavalier approach to the current situation.  Nor am I promoting carelessness or recklessness.  The Bible makes is clear that we are not to test the Lord.  Rather, I am simply stating that the Lord is bigger than any virus, or layoff, or shortage, or financial challenge.  Or any other difficulty, for that matter! 

We are God’s people, and our God is our Protector and Provider.  He is our Fortress and Shield.  His power encircles us; nothing reaches us unless he allows it.  And if he does allow it, then it’s to bless us in some wonderful way.  That’s his promise!  (Romans 8:28).  Consequently, we have no reason to fear.

The words the Lord spoke to Joshua as he took over for Moses and prepared to lead the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan apply to each of us as well in the midst of the challenges we currently face.   “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). 

Really, when the Lord our God is with us wherever we go, what in the world (literally!) do we have to fear?  To state it more strongly, when the Lord is always with us, we have absolutely no cause to be afflicted by phobias or beset by fear.  Rather, courage is the way we face our days.

So it seems that Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous words are very apropos to Spring, 2020.  “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  (That’s phobophobia, by the way: fear of fear.) 

Fine words from F.D.R.  But I prefer the words of Jesus.  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”  (John 14:27).

Fear not?  Yes, that’s right.  Fear not!  The Lord is carrying us.

God’s Got This!

God’s Got This!

“We got this” seems to be a rallying cry during this pandemic.  It’s a good-enough slogan, I guess.  It’s pithy, personal, and persuasive.

I certainly don’t want to downplay any of the wonderful things that the motto might be bringing about; the teamwork, sacrifice and service to others that it may be encouraging.  People need something to rally around in a pandemic. 

However, it must be said: “We got this” is patently false.  The truth of the matter is that we humans got no control over nothin’!  At least nothing significant.  If ever there was a time that our utter helplessness over circumstances was abundantly clear, it is now.

Yet that is always the fallback plan for most people.  The hope against all hopes. The blind confidence.  (The desperate conviction?)  Science … or medicine … or government … or companies … or SOMEBODY! … will inevitably figure out the solutions and we’ll be fine.

And as for God … well, for many he is a non-factor.  Either God’s existence isn’t acknowledged, or if it is, he is marginalized.  People conclude, especially when difficulties arise, that if there even is a god, he’s either lost control or lost interest.

This concept that God’s impact is negligible and we humans control our own fate leaves one rather empty.  Frankly, it’s depressing and terrifying.  Or at least it should be for anyone with even a lick of sense!  However, if someone insists that God won’t or can’t help us, then there is only one other alternative for hope; we humans must trust in ourselves to figure things out.  And we better get it right!

But can we?  Will we?  What if we mess up and make things worse?  There’s a trainload of pressure packed into a godless worldview – especially when the world is in the middle of a pandemic!

In 1952, Ray Bradbury wrote a short story titled “A Sound of Thunder,” set in the year 2055.  In the story a company took folks back in time.  However, they had stringent rules on how the trips were conducted.  Clients must not deviate from those rules to ensure that the future would remain unaffected.  But on one trip a client forgot the rules, and he crushed a butterfly while in the distant past.  When they returned to 2055, things were different.  And all because one butterfly in the past perished, thereby altering the future.

This concept reappears repeatedly in literature and movies.  Humans messed with the past, (or the present), which messed up the future!  Of course, there’s no consideration of God in these scenarios; everything is dependent upon people.

It’s a common premise, but a faulty one.  We humans do not control our destiny.  And rescuing the world is way more than any person or number of people (or even nation!) could presume to do.  As is providing for the world and guiding the events in the world.  People can’t even control the events in their own lives for one day!  Taking it to a larger spectrum is inconceivable.

Providence (providing and protecting) is God’s job!  And thankfully he’s really good at it!  As David wrote, “You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.  How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!”  (Psalm 36:6-7)

Our Lord is always watching … not only the entire world, but even us!  Every day – all day!  And all night too!  (Psalm 121).  God always has a loving plan (Jeremiah 29:11).  He controls all things, bringing both good times and hard (Isaiah 45:6-7), but always for the blessing of his people (Romans 8:28).  We humans can never hope to fully understand God’s decisions (Isaiah 55:8-9), but we know he is always acting in love (Zephaniah 3:17).  After all, he gave us Jesus, our Savior; he will also provide for all our other needs (Romans 8:32).  Yes, even in a pandemic!

The Lord summarizes our situation beautifully in Isaiah: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you (46:4).  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (41:10).

Wow!  That’s some awesome stuff!  Comforting, encouraging and uplifting!  Our God who gave us life will guide us lovingly through life.

So back to the slogan.  “We got this?”  Not so much. 

God’s got this?  Much better!  Yes, he does.  Totally, completely and undoubtedly.  Hear it.  Hold it.  Know it.  Treasure it.  God most definitely has got this, so we’re in very good hands.