What Are You Afraid Of?

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Our world is full of fear. Wars, earthquakes, terrorists, volcanoes, racial strife, hurricanes, fires, mass murders, floods, bombs, tornadoes, disease….

No wonder we live in fear, dreading the next act of terror, anxious for the coming natural disaster. We know it will come: Where? When? How? Will it affect me or mine? Living on edge, apprehensive, suspicious.

Or maybe our fears are more personal: failure, loss of a loved one, a rebellious child, loss of job, divorce…the list goes on.

Afraid.

Many of us live life afraid. But God says otherwise: “Fear not!”

They say there are 365 “Fear not” or “Don’t be afraid” commands or assurances in the Bible—one for every day. I’ve also heard that number is not real. But the truth is, we are admonished many times not to be afraid. Here are 10 spoken by Jesus Himself:

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26)

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10)

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” (Luke 5:10)

…because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50)

Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” (Luke 8:50)

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.” (Revelation 1:17)

May the love of God displace any fear that grips us.

What about you? What are you afraid of?

C2022 Judy Douglass