If the events of the past several weeks have showed us anything, it has been that as a society we have yielded readily to the dictates of fear. We are a terrified people. Covid 19 and the multitude of associated complications that it has caused has sent us into a full on stampede of panic, often causing us to act and react without taking a breath or giving ourselves time to think. There are so many things about which we are afraid. The virus has taken its toll on our health and people have died. That’s scary. Many have lost jobs. Savings are quickly eroding and 401k’s have been decimated. We’ve become prisoners in a sense - our freedom to move about freely has been taken from us. It’s like the seatbelt light is on and it’s stuck. There’s growing distrust of our governmental leadership as unrelated agendas are unearthed while we search for ways to rescue ourselves from the present trouble. The fear is relentless.

indeed the masquerade of self-reliance and confidence has been smashed and now here we stand exposed- our fears on display for everyone to see. Fear drives some to cannibalize others who fear by exploiting their terror in an attempt to garner influence or power. Still others are paralyzed, unable to move away from the monsters that haunt them. Sadly, some try to escape through substance, and others, even more sadly, would see cessation from living as the ultimate escape - so much better than enduring a terrified life. While this virus, like other viruses before it, is menacing, it pales in comparison to the pandemic of fear that is destroying us…

I was speaking with a friend today who needed some encouragement in these difficult times. We both found ourselves wondering how people cope with this sort of fear crisis without a personal relationship with God. I know people are doing it. There are plenty of people in this world who have no interest in or time for relationship with God. They are coping. They have to…. somehow. But I love what the Bible tells us. Maybe you’ve heard it before… “Perfect love casts out fear….” Powerful, right? I mean, the fear around this whole pandemic is pretty strong. It has succeeded in causing us to take some pretty drastic actions. But the perfect love of God will cast it out. Listen. None of this mess has caused God to doubt his power or sovereign control over things. In fact, our weakness, our cowering in fear to the monster of the unknown, creates the ideal backdrop for the demonstration of Gods power. His grace is sufficient and his strength is made perfectly clear in our weakness.

So, if you’re afraid cry out to God. His love will cast out your fears. He’s solid ground in the midst of shifting sand. He’s peace in the storm. He’s truth in the midst of lies. He’s light in the darkness. He’s hope in the midst of hopelessness. And he loves you. Talk to Him. Trust him….

”Father God, these are fearful times. Help us to press into your love that our fears might be cast out. Use these unique times and circumstances to shape us. Make me into the Me of My Dreams….”