How does a young child conquer fear?
Whether the child is afraid of roller skating, riding a bicycle, going down a slide, or stepping onto an escalator, the solution of choice is usually the same.
The child holds on to a parent's hand - then proceeds without fear.
Why does this work? As long as the child can feel the supporting hand of someone he or she loves and trusts, fear stays away. In fact, what was a fearful prospect just a few minutes earlier is often transformed into an adventure! Instead of crying and cowering in fear, the child is giggling in eager anticipation.
As we grow up, we're told that we no longer need this kind of support. We're big people. We should be able to handle problems on our own. So we put on a brave face, hide our fear, and stoically keep trudging forward. We want to look brave, even when we're quaking inside.
God doesn't expect us to live that way. Even though we face pain and suffering in this world, and we encounter things that cause anxiety and fear - God wants us to trust Him.
How can we look directly at our fear, realize its seriousness, and still find the strength to go on? The same way a child finds courage from a parent. Jesus said that if we bring our troubles and concerns to Him, He will give us rest (Matthew 11:29) The apostle Peter says we can cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) The apostle John tells us that God is love (1 John 4:16) and that perfect love drives out fear (4:18).
When we cling to God, who loves us perfectly, our fear goes away. His love drives out fear - just as a child's fear disappears when holding a loving parent's hand.
Question to Consider: Think about when you were going through a fearful time. In what ways were you able to sense the presence of God? Take some time to thank Him for His presence with you.
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