Do Not Be Afraid

"I sought the LORD and He answered me,

He delivered me from all my fears."
(Psalm 34:4)

It's funny how words you memorized years ago can come back at a moment's notice. I memorized the above verse a long time ago. I even created a small song about it so I could remember it easily. But I haven't thought about it for a long while. Today, I was reading something online and read a similar verse and that song echoed in my head.

And it made me realize that I needed this verse right now.

Do you have fears? In this time of adventure, I do. Fears, worries, anxieties, concerns. Call them whatever you will. But I do fear or worry that no one will ever consider me for a teaching job again. I worry that somewhere along the line I missed or misunderstood God's leadership. I fear what people think of me when they see me. I fear that maybe I'm failing my family by not doing more. I fear that doing too much is a lack of faith and trust in God to do His work.

See. Lots of fears and worries. 

And then I remembered and read this verse again. Seeking God is the deliverance from fears. More of Him is less of all that...stuff.

Cindy and I were talking the other day. It's amazing how many times God or His messenger says, "Do not be afraid." He said it to Abraham and to Isaac. He said it to the Israelites as they left Egypt and wandered in the wilderness. He said it several times to Joshua as Joshua began his new leadership role. He said it to Mary when she heard about His plan for Jesus' birth. He said it to Joseph about the marriage to Mary. He said it to the shepherds at the announcement of that birth. He says it to us today.

The remedy to being afraid? Seeking God. Calling on Him and listening to Him.

Those times of anxiety? Seek Him. Those times of discouragement? Seek Him. Worries and troubles? Seek God. 

God is Sovereign and God is in control. There is no reason to fear. Do not be afraid.

(Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go spend some seeking time.)